chéngdān zérèn: 承担责任 - To Bear/Take/Assume Responsibility

• Keywords: chengdan zeren, 承担责任, take responsibility in Chinese, assume responsibility Chinese, bear responsibility Chinese, accountability in Chinese, Chinese word for duty, cheng dan ze ren, fuzeren
• Summary: Learn the crucial Chinese phrase 承担责任 (chéngdān zérèn), which means “to take or bear responsibility.” This page explores its deep cultural significance beyond a simple apology, connecting it to concepts of duty, accountability, and social harmony in China. Discover how to use it correctly in business, family, and personal situations with 10 practical examples, and learn the key differences between `承担责任` and similar terms like `负责 (fùzé)`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chémgdān zérèn
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: A combination of HSK 4 (责任) and HSK 5 (承担). Essential for intermediate learners.
• Concise Definition: To formally accept and bear the consequences or duties associated with a situation, role, or mistake.
• In a Nutshell: “承担责任 (chéngdān zérèn)” isn't just about saying “my bad.” It's a serious and active acceptance of a burden. Imagine physically putting a heavy weight on your shoulders—that's the feeling. It implies you are ready to face the consequences, fix the problem, and fulfill your duty, reflecting personal integrity and maturity.

• 承 (chéng): To bear, receive, or hold up from underneath. Picture your hands cupped, supporting something heavy from below.
• 担 (dān): To carry on one's shoulders. The left part `扌` is the “hand” radical, indicating an action. The right part gives the sound and a sense of a load. Together, `承担 (chéngdān)` means “to bear a burden.”
• 责 (zé): Duty, responsibility, or to blame. It signifies a required task or a fault.
• 任 (rèn): Duty, responsibility, or appointment. It's the role or position one holds. Together, `责任 (zérèn)` means “responsibility” or “duty.”

The combination is powerful: `承担 (chéngdān)` means to physically and mentally carry, and `责任 (zérèn)` is the weight of duty and consequence. Thus, `承担责任` means to shoulder the full weight of one's obligations and mistakes.

In Chinese culture, `承担责任` is a cornerstone of personal character and social stability. It's deeply intertwined with collectivist values, where an individual's actions reflect on their family, company, and community. A key comparison is with the Western idea of “taking responsibility.” In the West, this often focuses on individual accountability, legal liability, and a direct admission of fault (“I messed up”). While this is part of `承担责任`, the Chinese concept is broader and more relational. It involves: 1. Maintaining Harmony: Taking responsibility is crucial for restoring balance in a relationship or group. It's not just about you; it's about fixing the disruption your actions caused to the collective. 2. Upholding Your Role: In a hierarchical society, everyone has a defined role (parent, boss, child, employee). `承担责任` means fulfilling the duties inherent to that role. A father's responsibility is not just a job, but a core part of his identity. 3. Preserving Face (`面子 miànzi`): While admitting a mistake might seem like losing face, properly and sincerely `承担责任` can actually *gain* you face. It shows you are an honorable, mature, and trustworthy person. Conversely, shirking responsibility (`推卸责任 tuīxiè zérèn`) causes a major loss of face. This act is less a one-time confession and more a continuous commitment to see things through and make amends, thereby reinforcing social bonds.

This phrase is generally formal and serious. You wouldn't use it for spilling a drink, but you would use it in situations with real consequences.

• In Business and Professional Settings: This is very common. A manager might say it after a project fails, or a company might issue a press release to `承担责任` for a faulty product. It signals accountability and a commitment to fixing the issue.
• In Family and Personal Life: It carries significant weight. A parent `承担责任` for their child's education and well-being. An adult child might `承担责任` for caring for their aging parents. Between friends, using this phrase indicates a serious mistake has been made and a sincere effort to fix it will follow.
• In Legal Contexts: It directly translates to accepting legal liability. For example, “The defendant must `承担` all legal `责任`.”

• Example 1:
  • 作为父母，我们必须承担责任，好好教育孩子。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi fùmǔ, wǒmen bìxū chéngdān zérèn, hǎohǎo jiàoyù háizi.
  • English: As parents, we must take responsibility to educate our children well.
  • Analysis: This shows `承担责任` as a long-term duty inherent to a role (parenthood).
• Example 2:
  • 这次项目失败了，作为团队领导，我愿意承担全部责任。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì xiàngmù shībài le, zuòwéi tuánduì lǐngdǎo, wǒ yuànyì chéngdān quánbù zérèn.
  • English: This project failed, and as the team leader, I am willing to bear full responsibility.
  • Analysis: A classic professional example. The speaker is demonstrating leadership and accountability, which can build trust despite the failure.
• Example 3:
  • 他酒后驾车，现在必须承担法律责任。
  • Pinyin: Tā jiǔhòu jiàchē, xiànzài bìxū chéngdān fǎlǜ zérèn.
  • English: He drove after drinking, and now he must bear the legal responsibility.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the formal, legal application of the phrase.
• Example 4:
  • 你是个成年人了，应该学会为自己的行为承担责任。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì ge chéngniánrén le, yīnggāi xuéhuì wèi zìjǐ de xíngwéi chéngdān zérèn.
  • English: You're an adult now; you should learn to take responsibility for your own actions.
  • Analysis: Used here as a form of advice or mild criticism, emphasizing maturity.
• Example 5:
  • 出了这么大的问题，到底谁来承担责任？
  • Pinyin: Chūle zhème dà de wèntí, dàodǐ shéi lái chéngdān zérèn?
  • English: Now that such a big problem has occurred, who on earth is going to take responsibility?
  • Analysis: A common question asked when blame needs to be assigned, often with a frustrated or accusatory tone.
• Example 6:
  • 他这个人最大的缺点就是不敢承担责任。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhè ge rén zuìdà de quēdiǎn jiùshì bù gǎn chéngdān zérèn.
  • English: His biggest flaw is that he doesn't dare to take responsibility.
  • Analysis: A negative usage describing a weak character trait. The opposite of someone with `担当 (dāndāng)`.
• Example 7:
  • 我们公司承诺，将对所有受影响的客户承担责任。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī chéngnuò, jiāng duì suǒyǒu shòu yǐngxiǎng de kèhù chéngdān zérèn.
  • English: Our company promises that we will take responsibility for all affected customers.
  • Analysis: A formal, public relations statement meant to reassure the public and customers.
• Example 8:
  • 打破了邻居的窗户后，小明勇敢地去道歉并承担责任。
  • Pinyin: Dǎpò le línjū de chuānghu hòu, Xiǎo Míng yǒnggǎn de qù dàoqiàn bìng chéngdān zérèn.
  • English: After breaking the neighbor's window, Xiao Ming bravely went to apologize and take responsibility.
  • Analysis: Shows the process: an action (apologizing) is part of taking responsibility. Here it likely means offering to pay for the repair.
• Example 9:
  • 保护环境是每个人都应该承担的社会责任。
  • Pinyin: Bǎohù huánjìng shì měi ge rén dōu yīnggāi chéngdān de shèhuì zérèn.
  • English: Protecting the environment is a social responsibility that everyone should bear.
  • Analysis: This extends the concept to a broad, societal duty, not just a personal mistake.
• Example 10:
  • 如果你选择接受这个职位，你就要承担随之而来的所有责任。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ xuǎnzé jiēshòu zhège zhíwèi, nǐ jiù yào chéngdān suí zhī ér lái de suǒyǒu zérèn.
  • English: If you choose to accept this position, you must then assume all the responsibilities that come with it.
  • Analysis: Highlights that `承担责任` is not just about mistakes, but about proactively accepting the duties of a new role.

• `承担责任 (chéngdān zérèn)` vs. `负责 (fùzé)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • `负责 (fùzé)`: Means “to be in charge of” or “responsible for (a task)”. It describes your job scope. Example: 我负责市场部 (Wǒ fùzé shìchǎngbù) - “I am in charge of the marketing department.” This is a neutral statement of fact.
  • `承担责任 (chéngdān zérèn)`: Means “to bear the consequences,” especially when something goes wrong. It's about the outcome. If the marketing department makes a huge mistake, the person who is `负责` must then `承担责任`.
  • Incorrect Usage: A student might say: `我承担责任做作业 (Wǒ chéngdān zérèn zuò zuòyè)`. This is wrong. It's too formal and implies doing homework is a heavy burden or a consequence of a mistake. The correct sentence is `我负责做作业 (Wǒ fùzé zuò zuòyè)` if it's your assigned task, or simply `我得做作业 (Wǒ děi zuò zuòyè)` - “I have to do homework.”
• Overuse for Minor Issues: Do not use `我承担责任` when you bump into someone or spill their coffee. That's overly dramatic and awkward. Use a simple apology like `对不起 (duìbuqǐ)` or `不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi)`. `承担责任` is for situations with significant, tangible consequences.

• 负责 (fùzé) - To be in charge of (a task or department); describes the scope of one's duties.
• 责任心 (zérènxīn) - Sense of responsibility; a positive personality trait. Someone with a strong `责任心` is good at `承担责任`.
• 推卸责任 (tuīxiè zérèn) - To shirk/evade/pass the buck; the direct antonym of `承担责任` and a very negative action.
• 担当 (dāndāng) - To take on (a task/responsibility) with courage and initiative. While `承担` is to bear, `担当` highlights the bravery in doing so. Often used to praise leaders.
• 义务 (yìwù) - Obligation or duty, often in a moral or legal sense that is non-negotiable (e.g., compulsory education is a `义务教育`).
• 负责任 (fù zérèn) - To be responsible (adjectival form). Example: `他是一个很负责任的员工` (Tā shì yí ge hěn fù zérèn de yuángōng) - “He is a very responsible employee.”
• 道歉 (dàoqiàn) - To apologize. Apologizing is often the first step in the process of `承担责任`.
• 面子 (miànzi) - “Face” or social standing. The act of taking, or failing to take, responsibility is deeply connected to gaining or losing face.