dà shǐ
ambassador; envoy
中国驻美国大使馆
Zhōngguó zhù Měiguó dàshǐguǎn
Chinese Embassy in the United States
大使在记者招待会上发表了讲话
Dàshǐ zài jìzhě zhāodàihùi shàng fābiǎo le jiǎnghuà
The ambassador gave a speech at the press conference
大使馆为中国公民提供领事服务
Dàshǐguǎn wèi Zhōngguó gōngmín tígōng lǐngshì fúwù
The embassy provides consular services to Chinese citizens
特命全权大使 (tè mìng quán quán dà shǐ)
ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary
公使 (gōng shǐ)
minister
公使 (gōngshǐ)
minister
使节 (shǐjié)
envoy
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The Chinese word 大使 (dàshǐ) for "ambassador" is a compound of two characters: 大 (dà), meaning "great" or "important," and 使 (shǐ), meaning "envoy" or "messenger." The term 大使 was first used in the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) to refer to high-ranking officials sent on diplomatic missions to foreign countries. Over time, the term came to be used specifically for ambassadors, who are the highest-ranking diplomatic representatives of their countries.The character 大 (dà) is composed of two parts: 人 (rén), meaning "person," and 犬 (quǎn), meaning "dog." The combination of these two characters suggests the idea of a person who is strong and powerful, like a dog. The character 使 (shǐ) is composed of two parts: 亻 (rén), meaning "person," and 巳 (sì), meaning "snake." The combination of these two characters suggests the idea of a person who is quick and agile, like a snake.The combination of the characters 大 (dà) and 使 (shǐ) in the word 大使 (dàshǐ) thus suggests the idea of a person who is both strong and powerful, and quick and agile—qualities that are essential for a successful ambassador.
