交代

jiāodài

verb HSK 5 #7,711

Meanings

HSK 3

老板交代了几件重要的事。

Lǎobǎn jiāodài le jǐ jiàn zhòngyào de shì.

The boss gave instructions on several important matters.

HSK 3

你得把事情交代清楚。

Nǐ děi bǎ shìqing jiāodài qīngchu.

You need to explain the matter clearly.

HSK 6

犯人终于交代了一切。

Fànrén zhōngyú jiāodài le yīqiè.

The criminal finally confessed everything.

usage

Three common meanings: (1) give instructions/assign tasks, (2) explain/account for, (3) confess (in legal/police context).

grammar

交代清楚 means 'to explain clearly.' 交代任务 means 'to assign a task.'

交 jiāo

代 dài