Meaning
信使 refers to a person who carries messages, letters, or important information from one place or person to another. Historically, messengers played crucial roles in communication before modern technology, delivering official documents, diplomatic messages, or military orders.
Usage
This word is more formal and literary than everyday terms like 快递员 (courier/delivery person). It's commonly used in historical contexts, literature, diplomatic settings, or when describing someone as a symbolic messenger of ideas or values. In modern biological or scientific contexts, it can also refer to messenger molecules (like messenger RNA).
Examples
- 01国王派遣了一位信使去邻国送信。.The king dispatched a messenger to deliver a letter to the neighboring country.
- 02她被称为文化交流的信使。.She is called a messenger of cultural exchange.
Characters
Measure words
- 位一位信使
- 名三名信使
Common collocations
- 派遣信使to dispatch a messenger
- 和平信使messenger of peace
- 信使RNAmessenger RNA (mRNA)
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 信 (letter/message) and 使 (envoy/one who is sent), literally meaning 'one who is sent with a message.' This compound reflects the ancient practice of sending designated individuals to deliver important communications.