dàilǐ: 代理 - Agent, Proxy, Representative; To Act on Behalf of

• Keywords: 代理, daili, Chinese agent, Chinese proxy, act on behalf of in Chinese, agency, representative, VPN in China, Chinese distributor, 代理人, 代理商, proxy server
• Summary: Learn the versatile Chinese word 代理 (dàilǐ), which means “agent,” “proxy,” or “representative.” As a verb, it means “to act on behalf of” someone. This essential HSK 5 term is crucial for understanding modern Chinese business (sales agents), technology (proxy servers and VPNs), and legal matters (legal representatives). This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, and practical use with clear examples.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dàilǐ
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To act on behalf of another person or organization; an agent, proxy, or representative.
• In a Nutshell: 代理 (dàilǐ) is all about substitution and representation. Think of one person or entity stepping in to do a job for another. This could be a business 代理 (dàilǐ) selling a foreign company's products in China, a legal 代理 (dàilǐ) signing documents for a client, or a tech 代理 (dàilǐ) (proxy server) connecting your computer to a website on your behalf. The core idea is always “acting for” someone or something else.

• 代 (dài): This character means “to substitute,” “to replace,” or “to act on behalf of.” It's a combination of the “person” radical (亻) and 弋 (yì), an ancient character. You can think of it as a person (亻) stepping in to take the place of another.
• 理 (lǐ): This character means “to manage,” “to handle,” or “logic.” It's composed of the “jade” radical (王, a variant of 玉) and 里 (lǐ), which means “village” or “inside.” It evokes the idea of managing precious affairs (like jade) within a certain domain (like a village).

When combined, 代理 (dàilǐ) literally means “to substitute and manage” or “to act on behalf of (代) and handle the affairs (理).” This perfectly captures the meaning of an agent who represents and manages business for another party.

While 代理 (dàilǐ) is a practical business and legal term, its application in China has a unique cultural flavor. In the West, the relationship with an “agent” or “distributor” is often strictly contractual and transactional. In China, the relationship with a 代理商 (dàilǐshāng - agent/distributor) is frequently built on a deeper foundation of trust and 关系 (guānxi), or personal connection. A foreign company choosing a Chinese 代理 (dàilǐ) isn't just hiring a salesperson; they are entrusting their brand's face and reputation to that person or company in a specific region. The success of the partnership often depends as much on the agent's network and social capital as it does on the formal contract. This agent becomes the embodiment of the brand, and their personal honor is tied to the product's success. This contrasts with a more “arms-length” Western approach, highlighting how business in China often involves a blend of personal relationships and formal agreements.

代理 (dàilǐ) is an extremely common word in several key areas of modern Chinese life.

This is one of the most common contexts. A 代理商 (dàilǐshāng) is an “agent” or “distributor.” A 总代理 (zǒngdàilǐ) is the “sole agent” or “general agent” for a country or region.

• Connotation: Neutral, formal.

For anyone using the internet in China, 代理 (dàilǐ) is a familiar term. It refers to a 代理服务器 (dàilǐ fúwùqì), or “proxy server.” People often just say “我要开一下代理” (wǒ yào kāi yīxià dàilǐ - “I need to turn on my proxy”). This is the technology that VPNs use to help users access websites that are blocked in China.

• Connotation: Neutral, technical, everyday slang among internet users.

A 代理人 (dàilǐrén) is a “legal agent,” “proxy,” or “attorney-in-fact” who is authorized to act on someone's behalf. For example, a parent is the 法定代理人 (fǎdìng dàilǐrén), or “legal representative,” of their minor child.

• Connotation: Neutral, very formal.

• Example 1:
• 我们公司正在寻找一个可靠的中国代理。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī zhèngzài xúnzhǎo yīgè kěkào de Zhōngguó dàilǐ.
• English: Our company is currently looking for a reliable Chinese agent.
• Analysis: Here, 代理 (dàilǐ) is used as a noun in a business context, referring to a partner company or person who will act as their agent.
• Example 2:
• 他代理董事长主持了这次会议。
• Pinyin: Tā dàilǐ dǒngshìzhǎng zhǔchíle zhè cì huìyì.
• English: He presided over the meeting on behalf of the chairman.
• Analysis: Here, 代理 (dàilǐ) is used as a verb, meaning “to act for” or “to fill in for.” It's a formal usage.
• Example 3:
• 我需要用代理才能访问谷歌。
• Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào yòng dàilǐ cáinéng fǎngwèn Gǔgē.
• English: I need to use a proxy to be able to access Google.
• Analysis: This is a very common use in modern China. 代理 is a shorthand for “proxy server” or VPN.
• Example 4:
• 这家公司是这个品牌在亚洲的总代理。
• Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī shì zhège pǐnpái zài Yàzhōu de zǒngdàilǐ.
• English: This company is the sole agent for this brand in Asia.
• Analysis: 总代理 (zǒngdàilǐ) specifies an exclusive or primary agent for a large region.
• Example 5:
• 作为孩子的法定代理人，父母必须在文件上签字。
• Pinyin: Zuòwéi háizi de fǎdìng dàilǐrén, fùmǔ bìxū zài wénjiàn shàng qiānzì.
• English: As the child's legal representatives, the parents must sign the document.
• Analysis: This shows the formal, legal usage with 代理人 (dàilǐrén).
• Example 6:
• 你的网络代理设置好像有问题，上不了网了。
• Pinyin: Nǐ de wǎngluò dàilǐ shèzhì hǎoxiàng yǒu wèntí, shàngbùliǎo wǎng le.
• English: It seems there's a problem with your network proxy settings; I can't get online.
• Analysis: A technical but common sentence related to computer or phone settings.
• Example 7:
• 我想找个代理帮我在网上卖东西。
• Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo ge dàilǐ bāng wǒ zài wǎngshàng mài dōngxi.
• English: I want to find an agent to help me sell things online.
• Analysis: This demonstrates a more casual, small-scale business use, common in the age of e-commerce.
• Example 8:
• 我已经授权我的律师代理我处理一切法律事务。
• Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng shòuquán wǒ de lǜshī dàilǐ wǒ chǔlǐ yīqiè fǎlǜ shìwù.
• English: I have already authorized my lawyer to act on my behalf in handling all legal affairs.
• Analysis: A very formal example using 代理 as a verb, showing the relationship between authorization (授权 shòuquán) and agency.
• Example 9:
• 在经理休假期间，由副经理代理其职务。
• Pinyin: Zài jīnglǐ xiūjià qījiān, yóu fùjīnglǐ dàilǐ qí zhíwù.
• English: During the manager's vacation, the deputy manager will act in his position.
• Analysis: This shows 代理 used for temporarily filling an official post or duty (职务 zhíwù).
• Example 10:
• 很多外国公司通过代理模式进入中国市场。
• Pinyin: Hěn duō wàiguó gōngsī tōngguò dàilǐ móshì jìnrù Zhōngguó shìchǎng.
• English: Many foreign companies enter the Chinese market through an agency model.
• Analysis: 代理模式 (dàilǐ móshì) refers to the “agency business model.”

• 代理 (dàilǐ) vs. 中介 (zhōngjiè): This is a critical distinction for learners.
• 代理 (dàilǐ) acts on behalf of one party. An agent represents the interests of their principal (e.g., a brand agent represents the brand).
• 中介 (zhōngjiè) acts as a neutral third party between two parties. A real estate 中介 (zhōngjiè) connects a buyer and a seller but doesn't exclusively represent either one.
• Incorrect: “我找了一个房屋代理。” (I found a house agent.)
• Correct: “我找了一个房屋中介。” (I found a real estate agent/broker.)
• 代理 (dàilǐ) vs. 代表 (dàibiǎo):
• 代理 (dàilǐ) implies the power to act, transact, and manage.
• 代表 (dàibiǎo) means “to represent” and is often more symbolic. A student can 代表 the school in a competition, but they can't 代理 the school to sign contracts. A 代理 is a type of 代表, but one with executive power.
• False Friend: “Secret Agent”
• In English, “agent” can mean a spy. 代理 (dàilǐ) never has this meaning. The Chinese word for a spy or secret agent is 特工 (tègōng).

• 代理商 (dàilǐshāng) - The specific term for a business or person who is a commercial agent or distributor.
• 代理人 (dàilǐrén) - An agent in a personal or legal capacity; a proxy.
• 总代理 (zǒngdàilǐ) - The general agent or sole distributor, implying a higher level of authority and exclusivity.
• 中介 (zhōngjiè) - An intermediary or broker. Crucial to contrast with 代理.
• 代表 (dàibiǎo) - A representative; to represent. Often more symbolic than 代理.
• 替 (tì) - A common, informal verb meaning “to do something for someone” or “to substitute for.” E.g., “你替我开会” (You attend the meeting for me). It's the everyday version of the verb 代理.
• 授权 (shòuquán) - To authorize or empower. You must 授权 someone before they can become your 代理.
• 经销商 (jīngxiāoshāng) - A distributor or dealer. Very similar to 代理商, but sometimes implies that the 经销商 buys the goods outright and then resells them.