担任

• Pinyin: dān rèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 担 = 扌(hand) + 旦 (dawn, phonetic); 任 = 亻(person) + 壬 (phonetic, carry/endure)

Meaning

To serve as; to hold the position of; to take on a role.

A formal verb describing someone taking on or holding a specific role, position, or title. Commonly used with job titles, organisational roles, and responsibilities. More formal than 当 (to be/serve as). Often appears in official contexts and biographical descriptions.

Examples

1. 她担任公司的市场部经理已经三年了。 She has served as the marketing department manager at the company for three years now.
2. 他被选为班长，担任了两个学期的职务。 He was elected class monitor and held the position for two semesters.
3. 退休以后，他开始担任社区的志愿者。 After retiring, he started serving as a community volunteer.

Usage Guide

Context: work, official, biography

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他担任总经理一职。(He holds the position of general manager.)
• 谁来担任这次活动的负责人？(Who will serve as the person in charge of this event?)

Don't Say

• 在口语中过度使用担任 (Don't overuse 担任 in casual speech — it sounds overly formal; use 当 in everyday conversation)

Origin & History

担 (carry on shoulder/bear) + 任 (appoint/responsibility) — to shoulder an appointed responsibility.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal