当

• Pinyin: dāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 当 = simplified from 當; original form contained 田 (field) + 尚 (still/yet)

Meaning

To serve as; to act as; when. Used to describe taking on a role or to indicate a point in time.

As a verb, 当 means to take on a role or position. As a preposition or conjunction, it introduces a time clause meaning 'when' or 'at the time of.' One of the most versatile function words in Chinese, appearing in many fixed expressions.

Examples

1. 她当了三年的老师。 She worked as a teacher for three years.
2. 我长大以后想当医生。 I want to be a doctor when I grow up.
3. 当你有空的时候，给我打电话。 When you're free, give me a call.

Usage Guide

Context: career, roles, time expressions

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他当了十年的经理。(He served as manager for ten years.)
• 当我还是小孩的时候，我很怕黑。(When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark.)

Don't Say

• 我当你是好人。(Don't use 当 to mean 'consider/regard as' in this way — use 觉得你是好人 or 把你当好人 instead.)

Origin & History

Simplified from 當. Originally related to a field (田) being equal or corresponding in value, evolving to mean 'to serve as' or 'to face.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal