重任

• Pinyin: zhòng rèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 重 = 千 + 里 (heavy); 任 = 亻 + 壬 (task, appoint)

Meaning

Important task; heavy responsibility; vital mission. A duty that carries significant weight and consequence.

Emphasizes the gravity and importance of an assigned task or responsibility. Often used when delegating critical missions or describing positions of significant responsibility. Carries connotations of trust and expectation.

Examples

1. 领导把这项重任交给了他。 The leader entrusted him with this important task.
2. 她肩负着振兴企业的重任。 She shoulders the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the company.
3. 教育下一代是全社会的重任。 Educating the next generation is an important responsibility for society as a whole.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, official, academic

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 年轻干部要勇于承担重任。(Young cadres should be brave enough to take on important responsibilities.)
• 这次谈判的重任落在了外交部长身上。(The important task of this negotiation fell on the foreign minister.)

Don't Say

• 买菜是我的重任 — use 任务 for ordinary everyday tasks

Origin & History

重 (heavy, important) + 任 (task, responsibility)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal