Definition

1. Noun:
   • Chargé d'affaires: A diplomatic representative who heads a diplomatic mission in the absence of the ambassador, typically an embassy. This person holds the rank immediately below an ambassador.
   • Acting head of mission: A diplomat temporarily in charge of an embassy, often when the ambassador is absent, has left the post, or has not yet been appointed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Đại biện nước ta tại Pháp đã có bài phát biểu quan trọng. (Our chargé d'affaires in France delivered an important speech.)
  • Trong thời gian đại sứ vắng mặt, ông ấy sẽ làm nhiệm vụ đại biện. (During the ambassador's absence, he will serve as the chargé d'affaires.)
  • Vị đại biện lâm thời đã trình quốc thư lên Bộ trưởng Ngoại giao. (The chargé d'affaires ad interim presented his credentials to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.)

Advanced Usage

• "đại biện lâm thời" (chargé d'affaires ad interim / a.i.): This specific term refers to a chargé d'affaires who is serving temporarily, often a lower-ranking diplomat within the embassy who assumes charge until a new ambassador arrives or the permanent head returns. It is a formal diplomatic title.
  • Sau khi đại sứ về nước, tham tán sẽ đảm nhiệm vai trò đại biện lâm thời. (After the ambassador returns home, the counsellor will assume the role of chargé d'affaires ad interim.)

Variants and Related Words

• Đại sứ (Ambassador): The highest-ranking diplomat representing their country in another nation.
• Công sứ (Minister): A diplomatic rank, historically used for the head of a legation, now less common.
• Tham tán (Counsellor): A senior diplomatic officer, often the one who may become the .
• Biện lý: This is a different term, often meaning "prosecutor" in a legal context, and should not be confused with "đại biện".

Synonyms

• Chargé d'affaires: The direct and most accurate equivalent in English and French.
• Acting ambassador: A descriptive synonym, though less formal than the official title "chargé d'affaires".

Related Phrases (Diplomatic Context)

• Trình quốc thư (To present credentials): A formal ceremony where an ambassador or presents official documents to the host country's head of state.
• Đứng đầu phái đoàn ngoại giao (To head a diplomatic mission): Describes the function of both an ambassador and a .

1. Charge d'affaires
   • Đại biện lâm thời
     Charge d'affaires a.i. (ad interim)