当 (dāng) - to serve as & to be
当 · dāng
to serve as;
to be;
to act as;
to work as;
to bear;
to accept;
ought;
should;
match;
equal;
at that time;
just at (a time or place);
to pawn;
to regard as;
to think;
to manage;
to undertake
to serve asto beto act as
Usage highlights
to serve asat that timeappropriateought toto manageto pawn
Usage & contexts
Examples
- He works as a teacher (当老师).
- At that time (当时), I was very young.
- This is appropriate (适当).
- I should go now (应当走了).
Collocations
- to serve as(当)
- at that time(当时)
- appropriate(适当)
- ought to(应当)
- to manage(担当)
- to pawn(典当)
Idioms
- Acting as circumstances permit(当机立断)
- To bear heavy responsibilities(担当重任)
- To pawn one's coat to buy wine(典衣当酒)
- To regard death as going home(视死如归)
Cultural background
FAQ- Originally depicted a field being equal or matched, later extended to meanings of serving, managing, and being appropriate.
- Commonly used in compound words related to responsibility, timing, and appropriateness in Chinese culture.