担

• Pinyin: dān
• Hanzi breakdown: 担 = 扌 (hand) + 旦 (day, burden) — to shoulder a load

Meaning

To carry on a shoulder pole; to bear or shoulder (a responsibility, burden, or risk).

Originally referred to the physical act of carrying loads on a shoulder pole. Now predominantly used figuratively to mean taking on responsibility or bearing consequences. Common in formal writing and official contexts.

Examples

1. 他一肩担起了家庭的全部重担。 He shouldered the entire heavy burden of the family.
2. 身为领导者，必须敢于担责，不能推诿。 As a leader, one must dare to take responsibility and cannot pass the buck.
3. 这份工作责任重大，不是谁都能担得起来的。 This job carries major responsibilities; not everyone can shoulder them.

Usage Guide

Context: work, responsibility, leadership

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 勇于担责是优秀领导者的品质。(Willingness to bear responsibility is a quality of excellent leaders.)
• 这项任务由他来担最为合适。(He is the most suitable person to take on this task.)

Don't Say

• 担这个东西很重 — for physical carrying, prefer 挑 with a pole or 扛 on the shoulder; 担 in modern usage is mostly figurative

Origin & History

担 = 扌 (hand radical) + 旦 (dawn) — to lift and carry a load

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal