担保

• Pinyin: dān bǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 担 = 扌(hand) + 旦 (dawn, phonetic); 保 = 亻(person) + 呆 (stay/dull)

Meaning

To guarantee; to vouch for. Also a noun meaning guarantee or surety.

Used in both legal/financial and everyday contexts. In finance, refers to providing security or collateral for a loan. In daily life, means to vouch for someone's character or promise. Can describe personal guarantees or formal contractual guarantees.

Examples

1. 买房贷款需要有人担保才能申请。 Applying for a home mortgage requires someone to act as guarantor.
2. 我可以担保他是一个诚实可靠的人。 I can vouch that he is an honest and reliable person.
3. 这家银行要求提供房产作为贷款担保。 This bank requires property as collateral for the loan guarantee.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, legal, everyday

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 你愿意为他做担保吗？(Are you willing to act as his guarantor?)
• 我担保这件事一定能办好。(I guarantee this matter will be handled well.)

Don't Say

• 轻率地用担保来开玩笑 (Don't use 担保 casually as a joke — it carries legal and moral weight; in casual contexts use 保证 instead)

Origin & History

担 (carry on shoulder/bear) + 保 (protect/guarantee) — to shoulder the responsibility of protecting or guaranteeing something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal