代理商 / 代理

English translation: Context

06:43 Aug 26, 2015
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering - IT (Information Technology)
Chinese term or phrase: 代理商 / 代理
So, I've got a question regarding the noun phrase in Chinese "代理商" or "代理". I can see that it is commonly translated to "proxy" in IT field. But I also see the word "agent". Can someone explain a little bit when I should translate "代理" to "proxy" and when to "agent"?

Here are some phrases on my hand:
代理商資訊查詢
代理數據下載
更新代理商
增加代理商
代理接口
下级代理商
etc.

I think "proxy" is the better choice. Any idea?

Many thanks!
sgarygary
United States
Local time: 09:50
English translation:Context
Explanation:
If the entity in question is a company or person you can usually understand them as being classified as an 'agent' in English. This isn't a fail-safe method, as 'proxy' (or other terms) can be used in similar circumstances in English (aka 'a healthcare proxy'), but 'agent' is a good starting point.

I'm a bit confused by your examples, as in IT I usually see this as 代理 (not 代理商), in which case 'proxy' is often used. However, assuming that 代理商is synonymous with 代理here, I'd start with the question of whether or not this is an server/application acting as an intermediary between two devices. If so, then 'proxy' is a good place to begin your research.

If you want to type a more specific question with a sentence/more context context that might help us in giving more specific answers.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 hrs (2015-08-27 02:41:13 GMT)
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Also note that it's usually still worth checking these things. Many English services/clients with 'Agent' in their name, for example 'Network Access Protection Agent' are translated into Chinese using 代理,which can be dangerous when back translating.
Selected response from:

Preston Decker
United States
Local time: 11:50
Grading comment
Excellent explanation! Thank you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4Context
Preston Decker


  

Answers


19 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Context


Explanation:
If the entity in question is a company or person you can usually understand them as being classified as an 'agent' in English. This isn't a fail-safe method, as 'proxy' (or other terms) can be used in similar circumstances in English (aka 'a healthcare proxy'), but 'agent' is a good starting point.

I'm a bit confused by your examples, as in IT I usually see this as 代理 (not 代理商), in which case 'proxy' is often used. However, assuming that 代理商is synonymous with 代理here, I'd start with the question of whether or not this is an server/application acting as an intermediary between two devices. If so, then 'proxy' is a good place to begin your research.

If you want to type a more specific question with a sentence/more context context that might help us in giving more specific answers.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 19 hrs (2015-08-27 02:41:13 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Also note that it's usually still worth checking these things. Many English services/clients with 'Agent' in their name, for example 'Network Access Protection Agent' are translated into Chinese using 代理,which can be dangerous when back translating.

Example sentence(s):
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proxy_server
Preston Decker
United States
Local time: 11:50
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 4
Grading comment
Excellent explanation! Thank you!
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