担う

• Reading: になう
• Romaji: ninau
• Kanji breakdown: 担 (nina/tan) — to carry, bear, shoulder
• Pronunciation: /ni.na.ɯ/

Meaning

To carry on one's shoulder; to bear responsibility; to play a role in. Often used for shouldering duties or roles.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb. While the literal meaning is to carry on the shoulder, it is predominantly used figuratively: bearing responsibility, playing a key role, or shouldering the future. Very common in formal and news contexts.

Examples

1. 若い世代が未来の社会を担うことになる。 The younger generation will be responsible for the future of society.
2. この部署は会社の重要なプロジェクトを担っている。 This department is responsible for an important project at the company.
3. 彼女はチームのリーダーとして大きな役割を担った。 She played a major role as the leader of the team.

Usage Guide

Context: news, business, society

Tone: dignified

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 担 combines 扌(hand) with 旦 (dawn/morning), originally meaning to carry something with a pole across the shoulders at dawn — bearing a burden.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal