diplomat

diplomat — noun

1. An official who represents their home government while stationed at an embassy o

1.名詞B2
釋義

An official who represents their home government while stationed at an embassy or consulate abroad, handling international relations and protecting their country's interests.

例句

The French diplomat Manuela met with local officials to discuss a new trade agreement.

collocation: career / embassy / foreign diplomat

Cyrus spent twenty years as a diplomat in several Asian countries before retiring.

pattern: spend [time] as a diplomat + [location]

同義詞
  • ambassador

    a higher-ranking diplomat who heads an embassy, whereas a diplomat can hold various ranks

  • envoy

    a diplomat sent on a special mission, often with a more temporary role than a resident diplomat

  • consul

    a diplomat who handles administrative matters like visas, typically stationed in a consulate rather than an embassy

  • attaché

    a specialist diplomat (e.g. military, cultural) attached to an embassy, with a narrower focus

文法句型

diplomat + at/in [country/city]

work as a diplomat + prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Often used with a prepositional phrase specifying the location of posting: 'diplomat in [country]' or 'diplomat at [embassy/city]'. The word can also modify other nouns, as in 'diplomat's residence' or 'diplomat passport'.

常見錯誤

❌The diplomat went to America for vacation.' (using 'diplomat' for any traveller)
✅The diplomat travelled to America for a trade conference.
💡'diplomat' implies official government business, not personal travel.
❌He is a diplomat of France.
✅He is a French diplomat.' or 'He is a diplomat from France.
💡use the adjective form or 'from' rather than 'of'.

2. Someone who deals with sensitive or uncomfortable situations in a calm, careful

2.名詞B2
釋義

Someone who deals with sensitive or uncomfortable situations in a calm, careful way that avoids making people angry or upset.

例句

When the team meeting grew tense, Brandon acted as a diplomat and calmed everyone down.

figurative: act as a diplomat

Nala is a natural diplomat who can discuss difficult topics without causing offence.

fixed phrase: natural diplomat

同義詞
  • peacemaker

    more active in resolving conflict between others, while a diplomat (sense 2) prevents or soothes conflict

  • mediator

    a neutral third party in a dispute, whereas a diplomat may be one of the parties involved

  • tactful person

    more literal and less metaphorical than 'diplomat'; focuses on careful phrasing

反義詞
  • bully

    someone who gets what they want through intimidation, the opposite of tactful persuasion

  • blunderer

    someone who repeatedly says or does the wrong thing in social situations

文法句型

be a (natural/born/skilled) diplomat

act as (a/the) diplomat

用法筆記

This is a figurative extension of the literal meaning in sense 1. It does NOT refer to a job title or official position. Common in compliments: 'You're a real diplomat' means the person handled a tricky social situation well. Not used in formal job descriptions.

常見錯誤

❌She works as a diplomat in the HR department.' (using sense 2 as a job title)
✅She works in HR and is a real diplomat when handling staff complaints.
💡sense 2 describes a skill, not a formal role.