Definition
担 (dān) is a single-character verb meaning to shoulder or bear (responsibility, risk). It is less common as a standalone verb than the disyllabic near-synonyms 承担 (chéngdān) and 担当 (dāndāng); it often requires a complement (担得起, 担不起) or appears in fixed phrases (担风险, 担责任).
verb
to undertaketo shoulderto bear (responsibility, risk, etc.)
Easily confused
- 担dànlook-alike(noun) a load carried on a shoulder pole; a burden
- 单dānsound-alike(noun) bill; list; form (a written note)
- 但dànlook-alikebut, yet, however (conjunction indicating contrast)
- 淡dànsound-alikebland, weak, insipid (of taste or concentration)
- 查chálook-aliketo look up (a word, information in a reference)
Examples
- 担。Tā dān xià le zhège rènwu.He took on this task.
- 担。Wǒ dān bù qǐ zhège fēngxiǎn.I can't bear this risk.
- 。Tā chéngdān zhe quán jiā de shēnghuó.She shoulders the livelihood of the whole family.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.