肩 (jiān) - shoulder & to shoulder (a responsibility)

肩Tone 1

jiān ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 月

嘉健

肩 · jiān

shoulder;

to shoulder (a responsibility);

to bear.

shoulderto shoulder (a responsibility)to bear.

Usage highlights

ShoulderTo shoulder responsibilityShoulder to shoulderShoulder bladeShoulder jointShoulder bag

Synonyms

  • 肩膀— shoulder (body part)
  • 肩负— to shoulder (responsibility)

Antonyms

  • 卸— to unload; to remove (antonym to bearing responsibility)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He has broad shoulders (宽肩).
  • She shouldered the heavy burden (肩负重任).
  • The shoulder joint (肩关节) is important for movement.
  • He shrugged his shoulders (耸肩).

Collocations

  • Shoulder(肩膀)
  • To shoulder responsibility(肩负)
  • Shoulder to shoulder(并肩)
  • Shoulder blade(肩胛骨)
  • Shoulder joint(肩关节)
  • Shoulder bag(肩包)

Idioms

  • Shoulder to shoulder(并肩作战)
  • Share weal and woe(同甘共苦，肩并肩)
  • Shoulder heavy responsibilities(肩负重任)
  • The burden is heavy and the road is long(任重道远，肩挑重担)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, the shoulder symbolizes bearing responsibility and burden.
  • The character appears in idioms about cooperation and shared effort (e.g., 并肩).
  • Historically used in contexts of physical labor and military cooperation.

FAQ