负责

• Pinyin: fù zé
• Hanzi breakdown: 负 = 刀 (knife) + 贝 (shell/value), meaning to bear or carry; 责 = simplified from 責, meaning duty or responsibility

Meaning

To be responsible for; responsible. Indicates being in charge of something or having a sense of duty.

As a verb, means 'to be responsible for' or 'to be in charge of' a task or area. As an adjective, describes a person who is conscientious and takes their duties seriously. Very commonly used in work, school, and family contexts. Often followed by a specific task or area of responsibility.

Examples

1. 这个项目由王经理负责。 Manager Wang is responsible for this project.
2. 他是一个非常负责的老师。 He is a very responsible teacher.
3. 谁负责今天的值日工作？ Who is in charge of today's cleaning duty?

Usage Guide

Context: work, school, family

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 这件事我来负责。(I will take responsibility for this matter.)
• 她对工作很负责。(She is very responsible in her work.)

Don't Say

• 我负责了这顿饭很好吃。(Don't use 负责 to claim credit for a good result — it means bearing duty for a task, not ownership of an outcome; say 这顿饭是我做的)

Origin & History

负 (to bear, to carry on one's back) + 责 (duty, responsibility). Together meaning 'to bear responsibility.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal