代理（だいり、dairi）
- proxy/agency

The Japanese word 代理 (だいり, dairi) generally means "representation," "agency," or "proxy." It refers to the act of acting on behalf of someone else, or the person who is authorized to do so. It can apply to various contexts, from legal and business matters to more general situations where someone is acting for another. 代理 implies a delegation of authority or responsibility. ⚫︎ It suggests the power to act on behalf of another person or entity. ⚫︎ The scope of the 代理 can vary greatly depending on the context, and can be broad or very specific.

⚫︎ 社長の代理として、会議に出席しました。 Translation: I attended the meeting as the president's representative. ⚫︎ 彼は弁護士の代理人です。 Translation: He is the lawyer's agent/representative. ⚫︎ その商品は海外の代理店で販売されています。 Translation: That product is sold by overseas agents/distributors.

You use 代理 in situations where someone is acting for another, or representing another person or entity. It is suitable for business, legal, and formal settings. ⚫︎ When discussing legal matters, such as a power of attorney or legal representation. ⚫︎ In business contexts, like a sales 代理 or a representative. ⚫︎ When referring to someone acting on behalf of another in a meeting or event. ⚫︎ It is less frequently used in casual, everyday conversation unless the context specifically warrants it.

代理 is primarily written with the kanji 代理. ⚫︎ The reading is だいり (dairi). ⚫︎ The okurigana (hiragana attached to the kanji) is not applicable in this case. ⚫︎ There is no alternative way to write this word.

⚫︎ 代表 (だいひょう, daihyou) - representative, representative ⚫︎ 代行 (だいこう, daikou) - acting on behalf of, performing duties for ⚫︎ 代弁 (だいべん, daiben) - speaking on behalf of, spokesperson ⚫︎ エージェント (ēgento) - agent (loanword)

⚫︎ 本人 (ほんにん, honnin) - oneself, the person directly involved. ⚫︎ 自ら (みずから, mizukara) - oneself, personally.

彼は会社の代理として、交渉にあたった。 ・Translation: He negotiated on behalf of the company. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates how 代理 is used in a business context, indicating that someone is representing a company in negotiations.

病気のため、妹が私の代理として試験を受けました。 ・Translation: Because of illness, my sister took the exam as my proxy. ・Explanation: This demonstrates the use of 代理 in a more personal setting, where someone is acting on your behalf due to circumstances.

The word 代理 is composed of two kanji: 代 (だい, dai), meaning "代" or "instead of," and 理 (り, ri), which can mean "reason," "logic," or in this context, "managing." Therefore, 代理 literally means "acting instead of managing" or "acting on behalf of." The kanji 代 is often used to express the idea of replacing or substituting someone or something.