behalf in English
- behalf⇄behalf, noun.
side, interest, or favor.
Ex. His friends will act in his behalf. - behalf⇄expr. in behalf of, in the interest of; for.
Ex. He worked in behalf of the community chest. I am speaking in behalf of my friend. - behalf⇄expr. on behalf of,
a. in the interest of; for.
Ex. ... a publicity photograph on behalf of a charity called the Tolstoy Foundation (Peter Maas).
b. as a representative of.
Ex. The lawyer spoke convincingly on behalf of his clie
behalf in Konkani कोंकणी
behalf in Sindhi سنڌي
Behalf
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/bɪˈhælf/
Definitions
- On the part of; in the interest of: "She spoke on behalf of the organization."
- As a representative of someone or something: "He acted on behalf of his colleagues."
- The interest or support of someone: "I will do this on your behalf."
Usage Examples
- "She sent the letter on behalf of her company."
- "He was asked to represent the group on behalf of the board."
- "On behalf of the committee, I thank you for your contributions."
Etymology
The word "behalf" comes from the Middle English "bi-halfe," meaning "by the side of" or "for the sake of." The term originated in Old English as "behealf," which combined "be" (by) with "half" (side). This was a figurative use referring to acting for or on the side of someone or something.
Synonyms
- In the interest of
- For
- On someone's side
- As a representative
Antonyms
- Against
- Opposed to
- In opposition to
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Behalf | /bɪˈhælf/ |
| Spanish | En nombre de | /en ˈnomˈbɾe de/ |
| French | Au nom de | /o nɔ̃ də/ |
| German | Im Namen von | /ɪm ˈnaːmən fɔn/ |
| Italian | Per conto di | /per ˈkonto di/ |
| Portuguese | Em nome de | /ẽj ˈnɔmi dʒi/ |
| Russian | От имени | /ot ˈimʲənʲɪ/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 代表 | /dàibiǎo/ |
| Arabic | نيابة عن | /niyābah ʕan/ |
| Japanese | を代表して | /o daihyō shite/ |
| Hindi | की ओर से | /kī or se/ |
| Bengali | পক্ষে | /pôkkhe/ |
| Punjabi | ਦੇ ਵੱਲੋਂ | /dē vallōṁ/ |
| Gujarati | પક્ષે | /pakshe/ |
| Telugu | పక్షాన | /paksāna/ |
| Tamil | பக்கம் | /pakkam/ |
| Marathi | तर्फे | /tarfē/ |
| Malayalam | പക്ഷം | /pakṣaṁ/ |
| Odia | ପକ୍ଷରୁ | /pakṣaru/ |
| Kannada | ಪಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ | /pakṣavāgi/ |
| Assamese | পক্ষে | /pôkhe/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In the UK, "behalf" is pronounced with a more distinct 'a,' sounding like /bɪˈhælf/.
- In North America, the pronunciation tends to be similar, but with a softer 'h' in some accents.
- In India, the pronunciation is often influenced by regional accents, and may sound more like /bɪˈhɑːlf/ in some regions.
Historical Usage
The word "behalf" has been in use since the early Middle English period, where it was used to mean "on the side of" or "for the sake of." Over time, it became commonly used in legal, formal, and diplomatic contexts to signify a representative or advocate speaking for someone or something. It remains a common expression today in both legal and everyday language.
Cultural Nuances
The use of "behalf" often implies a formality or a duty, especially in legal or official settings. When someone acts "on behalf of" another, they are usually fulfilling an obligation or responsibility, often with authority or permission. It can also carry a sense of solidarity or advocacy, as seen in its use in social justice movements or community-driven initiatives.
More Information
The word "behalf" plays an important role in expressing advocacy, representation, and support. It is used across a variety of contexts, from legal and formal documentation to casual conversation. Understanding its usage can enhance clarity, especially in professional settings, where it is often crucial to specify that actions or decisions are made with another's interests in mind. The word's historical roots and modern-day usage demonstrate its enduring relevance in communication and representation.