Meaning
使者 refers to an official representative or messenger sent by a government, organization, or authority to deliver messages or conduct diplomatic business. It carries a formal, often historical or literary tone and is commonly used in contexts involving ancient diplomacy, religious missions, or formal representations between parties.
Usage
This word is more formal and literary than everyday vocabulary. It appears frequently in historical texts, news reports about international relations, and formal writing. Modern speakers might use 大使 (ambassador) or 代表 (representative) in casual conversation, but 使者 retains its place in formal discourse and when discussing historical or ceremonial contexts.
Examples
- 01国王派遣使者前往邻国商谈和平条约。.The king dispatched an envoy to the neighboring country to negotiate a peace treaty.
- 02联合国秘书长任命她为和平使者。.The UN Secretary-General appointed her as a peace envoy.
Characters
Measure words
- 位一位使者
- 名两名使者
Common collocations
- 和平使者peace envoy
- 派遣使者to dispatch an envoy
- 特别使者special envoy
Origin
The character 使 originally meant 'to send' or 'to employ,' while 者 is a classical suffix meaning 'person who.' Together they literally mean 'person who is sent,' which naturally evolved to mean an official messenger or envoy in classical Chinese texts.