擔 (dān) - To carry on the shoulder & to bear responsibility

擔Tone 1

dān ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

擔 · dān

To carry on the shoulder;

to bear responsibility;

to undertake;

a unit of weight (100 catties);

burden.

To carry on the shoulderto bear responsibilityto undertake

Usage highlights

To bear responsibilityTo worryBurdenTo undertakeTo guaranteeTo shoulder a load

Synonyms

  • 負— to carry on the back; to bear
  • 扛— to carry on the shoulder
  • 承擔— to undertake; to assume responsibility

Antonyms

  • 卸— to unload; to remove a burden
  • 推— to push away; to shirk responsibility

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He carries a heavy load on his shoulder (擔重擔).
  • She took on the responsibility (擔責任).
  • I am worried about this matter (擔憂此事).
  • This is a heavy burden (這是一個沉重的擔子).

Collocations

  • To bear responsibility(擔責任)
  • To worry(擔憂)
  • Burden(擔子)
  • To undertake(擔當)
  • To guarantee(擔保)
  • To shoulder a load(擔負)

Idioms

  • Shoulder heavy responsibilities(擔當重任)
  • Burdened with anxiety(憂心忡忡，擔驚受怕)
  • Bearing the weight of the world(擔當天下)
  • Unable to shoulder the heavy load(力不能擔)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted carrying heavy objects on a shoulder pole, representing physical labor and burden.
  • In traditional society, carrying loads with a shoulder pole was a common form of transportation for goods.
  • Metaphorically extended to mean taking responsibility and bearing emotional or social burdens.

FAQ