承担

• Pinyin: chéng dān
• Hanzi breakdown: 承 = originally depicted hands receiving something, meaning to bear; 担 = 扌(hand) + 旦 (dawn, phonetic), meaning to carry

Meaning

To bear; to undertake; to shoulder. Taking on a duty, cost, risk, or responsibility.

Used for accepting and carrying responsibilities, costs, consequences, or tasks. More formal than 负责. Common objects include 责任 (responsibility), 费用 (expenses), 风险 (risk), and 后果 (consequences).

Examples

1. 这个项目的全部费用由公司承担。 All costs for this project are borne by the company.
2. 作为组长，他需要承担更多的责任。 As the team leader, he needs to shoulder more responsibilities.
3. 父母不可能永远替孩子承担一切。 Parents cannot bear everything for their children forever.

Usage Guide

Context: professional, legal, everyday

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 你必须承担自己行为的后果。(You must bear the consequences of your own actions.)
• 公司承担了所有的维修费用。(The company bore all the repair costs.)

Don't Say

• 我承担了今天的午饭 (For paying for a meal casually, say 请客 or 我来付; 承担 is too formal and implies serious obligation)

Origin & History

承 means to receive or bear; 担 means to carry on one's shoulder. Together they describe shouldering a burden.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal