Definitions

dān (verb) to carry; to shoulder; to undertake; to take responsibility
dàn (noun) burden; load carried on shoulder pole; responsibility

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 担 combines the hand radical 扌, indicating manual action, with the component 旦 (dawn), which serves as the simplified form of the traditional character 擔. The traditional form pairs the same hand radical with the phonetic component 詹. Its original meaning refers to the physical labor of carrying heavy loads suspended from a pole balanced on the shoulder. This sense of bearing weight naturally extended metaphorically to mean undertaking duties, bearing burdens, assuming risks, or taking on significant responsibilities.

Example Sentences Hide

心你的安全。

Wǒ dānxīn nǐ de ānquán.

I worry about your safety.

妈妈心我生病。

Māmā dānxīn wǒ shēngbìng.

Mom worries that I get sick.

不要心未来。

Bùyào dānxīn wèilái.

Don't worry about the future.

任公司经理。

Tā dānrèn gōngsī jīnglǐ.

He serves as the company manager.

这个子很重。

Zhège dànzi hěn zhòng.

This burden is heavy.

心考试不及格。

Tā dānxīn kǎoshì bù jígé.

She worries about failing the exam.

他勇于承责任。

Tā yǒngyú chéngdān zérèn.

He is brave to take responsibility.

我们必须当起这个责任。

Wǒmen bìxū dāndāng qǐ zhège zérèn.

We must take up this responsibility.