Definition
交代 (jiāo dài) has three main uses: handing over duties, giving instructions, and confessing. For handing over, it is broader than 移交 (yí jiāo), which is limited to transferring responsibilities or documents. For confessing, 交代 is more general (e.g., confessing a crime or explaining one's actions), while 坦白 (tǎn bái) emphasizes being honest and forthcoming, often voluntarily.
verb
to hand over (duties, work) to a successorto give instructionsto tell (someone to do something)to confessto account for oneselfto explain clearly
Easily confused
- 胶带jiāo dàisound-alikeelec. (rubber/adhesive) tape
Examples
- 交代。Tā tuìxiū qián bǎ gōngzuò dōu jiāo dài qīngchu le.He handed over all the work clearly before retiring.
- 交代。Lǎobǎn jiāo dài tā míngtiān qù jīchǎng jiē kèhù.The boss told him to go to the airport tomorrow to pick up a client.
- ，交代。Zài fǎtíng shàng, tā bùdébù jiāo dài zìjǐ de zuìxíng.In court, he had to confess his crime.
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