任务

• Pinyin: rèn wu
• Hanzi breakdown: 任 = 亻(person) + 壬 (phonetic), to bear; 务 = simplified from 務, 矛 (spear) + 力 (strength) + 攵 (strike), meaning affairs requiring effort

Meaning

Task; mission; assignment. A piece of work that needs to be completed, often with a sense of duty or responsibility.

A very common word for any assigned job, duty, or objective. Used in everyday life (homework tasks, work assignments), military contexts (missions), and gaming (quests). Carries a slightly more serious or formal tone than simply saying 事 (thing to do). Often paired with 完成 (complete) or 分配 (assign).

Examples

1. 老师给我们布置了一个新任务。 The teacher assigned us a new task.
2. 他今天必须完成这个任务。 He must complete this task today.
3. 这次的任务比上次难多了。 This task is much harder than last time.

Usage Guide

Context: work, school, military, gaming

Tone: purposeful

Do Say

• 完成任务以后，我们去吃饭吧。(After finishing the task, let's go eat.)
• 领导给每个人分配了不同的任务。(The boss assigned different tasks to everyone.)

Don't Say

• 我有一个任务去超市。(Don't use 任务 for casual errands — just say 我要去超市. 任务 implies a formal assignment or duty.)

Origin & History

任 means to bear or undertake; 务 means affairs or business (combining 矛 spear + 力 strength — striving with effort). Together: affairs one is charged to carry out.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal