Représentés

Représentés is the plural form of the past participle représenté of the French verb représenter. It can function as an adjective or, in certain legal or political contexts, as a noun referring to the people or entities on whom representation is exercised. The singular forms are représenté (masc.) and représentée (fem.), with the plural masculine represented as représentés and the feminine as représentées.

Etymologically, the term comes from Old French repesenter and ultimately from Latin repraesentare, meaning “to present before, to exhibit.” In grammar, représenté and représentés mainly agree with the noun they describe or with the implied subject of representation when used as a passive participle.

In political and legal language, les représentés describes the electorate, clients, or beneficiaries who are represented by someone acting as their agent, such as a parliamentarian, a lawyer, or a trustee. For example, Le représentant agit au nom des représentés. The related pair les représentants refers to the people who exercise representation, i.e., the agents, while les représentés are the ones represented. This distinction is central in discussions of representative democracy, delegation of authority, and certain contract or fiduciary relationships.

Usage notes: représentés is common in formal or technical writing. To be explicit, especially in plain language, one may say “les personnes représentées” rather than relying on the noun form. The term is well understood in contexts involving representation, but in everyday French speakers may prefer clearer wording to avoid ambiguity.