Definition
自告奋勇 is a set phrase (成语) that literally means 'to oneself proclaim courage' — it describes volunteering to take on a difficult or challenging task, often when no one else is willing. The phrase carries a tone of initiative and bravery, and is used in both formal and informal contexts when someone steps up to accept responsibility or a risky job. Do not confuse it with the plain verb 自愿 ('to volunteer'), which lacks the connotation of difficulty.
f.e.
to volunteer (for a difficult task)to step up and take on a challenge
Examples
- ，自告奋勇。Méiyǒu rén gǎn qù, tā zì gào fèn yǒng yào dàilǐng dàjiā chuānguò nà piàn shāmò.No one dared to go, but he volunteered to lead everyone across that desert.
- 自告奋勇。Xiǎo Lǐ zì gào fèn yǒng dānrèn zhè cì huódòng de fùzérén.Xiao Li volunteered to be the person in charge of this event.
- ，自告奋勇。Gōngsī chū le nántí, zhǐyǒu Lǎo Zhāng zì gào fèn yǒng jiē xià zhège xiàngmù.The company faced a tricky problem, and only Old Zhang volunteered to take on this project.
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