交代

explain; give an account of, explanation, account, confess; own up, instruct; tell someone what to do

t͡ɕ i̯ ɑ ʊ̯ ⁵ ⁵ t a ɪ̯ ⁵ ¹
verb Uncommon #8,515
explain; give an account of Used when explaining the circumstances or background of something to someone who needs to know.
CH: 请把事情的经过交代清楚。
EN: Please explain clearly what happened.

宰相那也没法交代我有说要射他吗

How am I supposed to explain this to the chancellor? Did I ever say I was going to shoot him?

— 满江红 (2023)

你总得把故事背景交代一下吧

You have to provide some background to the story, at least.

— 妈咪 (2014)

没有遗言要交代吗

Don't you have any last words?

— 利维坦 (2014)

我会和奥古斯汀娜交代好的

I'll explain everything to Augustina.

— 回归 (2006)

有些东西交代你

There are a few things I need to tell you.

— 一一 (2000)

我的人会跟你交代

My people will explain everything to you.

— 泰坦尼克号 (1997)

没什么,只是交代一些事

Nothing much, just giving some instructions.

— 指环王3:王者无敌 (2003)

我不用向废物交代

I don't owe an explanation to worthless people.

— 印度有嘻哈 (2019)

在你没交代清楚身份和来历前你哪都不能去

Until you clearly explain who you are and where you came from, you're not going anywhere.

— 伊万的童年 (1962)

我交代完了

I've explained everything.

— 坠落的审判 (2023)

马上给我交代交代啊

Explain yourself right now.

— 世界 (2004)

也交代了他的过去

It also shed light on his past.

— 奥本海默 (2023)

我交代得很清楚

I made myself very clear.

— 双重赔偿 (1944)

交代清楚

Make it clear.

— Hi, Mom (2021)

我怎向老大交代?

How am I supposed to explain this to the boss?

— 黑社会 (2005)

他很快会交代细节的

He’ll explain the details soon.

— 调音师 (2018)

noun Rare #20,514
explanation, account Often used in 给 someone 一个交代, meaning to give someone an explanation or an answer for something.
CH: 这件事你得给我一个交代。
EN: You need to give me an explanation about this.

这两份交代对不上,是吧?

These two accounts don't match up, do they?

— 末代皇帝 (1987)

也许你能给我一个交代

Maybe you can give me an explanation.

— 指环王3:王者无敌 (2003)

这是你的交代?

Is this your explanation?

— 末代皇帝 (1987)

现在关系是好了点,你还欠我个交代

Things are a little better between us now, but you still owe me an explanation.

— 亲切的金子 (2005)

好,根据你所谓的交代你并不是自愿去哪的

Fine. According to your so-called explanation, you didn’t go there willingly.

— 末代皇帝 (1987)

但你要给我一个交代

But you owe me an explanation.

— 西西里的美丽传说 (2000)

我会给大家一个交代

I’ll give everyone an explanation.

— 无间道 (2002)

verb Rare #23,241
confess; own up To tell the truth about what you did or know, especially to admit a mistake or wrongdoing.
CH: 你必须老实交代。
EN: You must come clean.

你必须给我老实交代

You have to tell me the truth.

— 罗马 (2018)

要不要老实交代

Are you going to come clean?

— 伊万的童年 (1962)

让你去交代问题?

Did I tell you to explain yourself?

— 活着 (1994)

你越早交代

The sooner you come clean.

— Dying to Survive (2018)

verb Rare #31,765
instruct; tell someone what to do Used for assigning a task or giving someone directions.
CH: 老师交代我们明天带书来。
EN: The teacher told us to bring our books tomorrow.

反正交代他们一定是礼到人到的嘛

Anyway, make sure they know they have to show up in person with a gift.

— 一一 (2000)

把玛丽交代你去做的事告诉汤姆。

Tell Tom what Mary asked you to do.

是兽医这么交代

That’s what the vet instructed.

— 天堂电影院 (1988)

你这只是在浪费时间怎么不好好去做交代给你的工作

All you're doing is wasting time. Why don't you properly do the work you've been assigned?

— 起风了 (2013)

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