chéngdān: 承担 - To Bear, Undertake, Assume Responsibility

• Keywords: chengdan, cheng dan, 承担 meaning, how to use chengdan, Chinese for responsibility, undertake in Chinese, bear the consequences, assume costs, chengdan vs fuzeren, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and use of 承担 (chéngdān), a crucial Chinese verb for expressing the act of “shouldering” or “bearing” a heavy responsibility, cost, or consequence. This guide explores its cultural significance, practical examples, and the key difference between 承担 (chéngdān) and 负责 (fùzé), helping you understand the deep sense of duty and accountability in Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chéngdān
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To bear, undertake, or assume (a responsibility, cost, or task).
• In a Nutshell: 承担 (chéngdān) is more than just “doing” a job; it's about “shouldering a burden.” It carries a sense of weight, seriousness, and personal accountability. When you 承担 something, you are actively accepting the duty and all of its potential outcomes, both good and bad. It’s the verbal equivalent of saying, “I've got this, and I am fully accountable for it.”

• 承 (chéng): This character means to receive, to inherit, or to support from underneath. Picture a pair of hands (the bottom part of the character) receiving or holding up something important.
• 担 (dān): This character means to carry on one's shoulder, often with a pole. The hand radical (扌) on the left indicates an action done with the hands, while the right side suggests a load or burden.
• Together, 承担 (chéngdān) creates a powerful and physical image: “to receive a duty and carry it on your shoulders.” This metaphor is central to its meaning of taking on a heavy and serious responsibility.

In Chinese culture, 承担 (chéngdān) is a concept deeply tied to one's role and duty within a collective, be it the family, the workplace, or society. It reflects a value system where individual actions are seen in the context of their impact on the group. A person who is willing to 承担责任 (chéngdān zérèn - bear responsibility) is seen as mature, reliable, and honorable. This is especially true within the family structure, influenced by Confucian values. For example, the eldest son might be expected to 承担 the financial burden of caring for his aging parents, not just as a choice, but as a fundamental part of his identity and duty. This can be contrasted with the more individualistic or legalistic Western concept of “liability.” While “liability” often focuses on who is legally at fault and can sometimes be transferred or insured against, 承担 implies a deeper, often moral, acceptance of a role. It's less about “who to sue” and more about “who must step up.” Refusing to 承担 one's duties is a significant moral failing, suggesting a lack of character and disregard for the group's well-being.

承担 (chéngdān) is a formal and serious word used in various contexts.

• In Business and Legal Contexts: This is where you'll see 承担 most frequently in writing. It's used in contracts, official announcements, and legal discussions to specify who is accountable for costs, risks, or outcomes.
  • 承担费用 (chéngdān fèiyòng): To bear the costs.
  • 承担风险 (chéngdān fēngxiǎn): To assume the risk.
  • 承担后果 (chéngdān hòuguǒ): To bear the consequences.
• In Personal and Moral Discussions: It's used to talk about serious personal duties and sacrifices. It conveys a sense of gravity and commitment.
  • A parent talking about 承担 the responsibility of raising a child.
  • An individual admitting fault and being willing to 承担 the blame.
• Connotation: The act of being willing to 承担 is highly positive and demonstrates integrity. However, the thing being undertaken is often difficult, negative, or burdensome (e.g., consequences, losses, blame).

• Example 1:
  • 作为公司的CEO，你必须承担这个决定带来的所有后果。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi gōngsī de CEO, nǐ bìxū chéngdān zhège juédìng dàilái de suǒyǒu hòuguǒ.
  • English: As the CEO of the company, you must bear all the consequences of this decision.
  • Analysis: A classic formal/business example. 承担 is paired with 后果 (hòuguǒ - consequences), emphasizing accountability at the highest level.
• Example 2:
  • 父母承担着教育孩子的重任。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ chéngdān zhe jiàoyù háizi de zhòngrèn.
  • English: Parents shoulder the heavy responsibility of educating their children.
  • Analysis: Here, 承担 is used for a long-term, profound duty (重任 - zhòngrèn - heavy responsibility). It highlights the cultural value placed on parental duty.
• Example 3:
  • 这次旅行的所有费用都由我来承担。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì lǚxíng de suǒyǒu fèiyòng dōu yóu wǒ lái chéngdān.
  • English: I will bear all the costs for this trip.
  • Analysis: A common practical usage. The structure 由 (yóu)…来 (lái) 承担 is often used to specify who will take on the cost or task.
• Example 4:
  • 犯了错误，就要勇敢地承担责任。
  • Pinyin: Fànle cuòwù, jiù yào yǒnggǎn de chéngdān zérèn.
  • English: If you make a mistake, you should bravely accept the responsibility.
  • Analysis: This sentence frames 承担 as a virtuous and courageous act. It's a common piece of advice given to children and employees.
• Example 5:
  • 谁愿意承担这个高风险的项目？
  • Pinyin: Shéi yuànyì chéngdān zhège gāo fēngxiǎn de xiàngmù?
  • English: Who is willing to undertake this high-risk project?
  • Analysis: Shows that 承担 is often a conscious choice to take on something difficult. It's not just assigned; it's accepted.
• Example 6:
  • 他一个人承担了家庭的全部经济负担。
  • Pinyin: Tā yíge rén chéngdān le jiātíng de quánbù jīngjì fùdān.
  • English: He alone shouldered the family's entire financial burden.
  • Analysis: This emphasizes the weight and difficulty of the responsibility by pairing 承担 with 负担 (fùdān - burden).
• Example 7:
  • 如果产品出现质量问题，我方将承担全部法律责任。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ chǎnpǐn chūxiàn zhìliàng wèntí, wǒ fāng jiāng chéngdān quánbù fǎlǜ zérèn.
  • English: If there are any quality issues with the product, our side will bear full legal responsibility.
  • Analysis: A standard phrase in contracts and service agreements, showing the formal, binding nature of 承担.
• Example 8:
  • 她默默地承担了所有的指责，没有为自己辩解。
  • Pinyin: Tā mòmò de chéngdān le suǒyǒu de zhǐzé, méiyǒu wèi zìjǐ biànjiě.
  • English: She silently bore all the criticism without defending herself.
  • Analysis: 承担 can be used for intangible burdens like blame or criticism (指责 - zhǐzé). The adverb 默默地 (mòmò de - silently) adds an emotional layer of stoicism.
• Example 9:
  • 年轻人应该承担起建设国家的历史使命。
  • Pinyin: Niánqīng rén yīnggāi chéngdān qǐ jiànshè guójiā de lìshǐ shǐmìng.
  • English: Young people should undertake the historical mission of building the nation.
  • Analysis: This is a highly formal and patriotic usage, showing 承担 applied to abstract, grand concepts like a 使命 (shǐmìng - mission).
• Example 10:
  • 他拒绝承担由于自己的疏忽造成的损失。
  • Pinyin: Tā jùjué chéngdān yóuyú zìjǐ de shūhū zàochéng de sǔnshī.
  • English: He refused to bear the losses caused by his own negligence.
  • Analysis: This example shows the negative side—the refusal to 承担, which implies irresponsibility and a lack of integrity.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 承担 (chéngdān) and 负责 (fùzé). They both relate to responsibility, but they are not interchangeable.

• 负责 (fùzé) - To be in charge of: This describes a role or a job scope. It's about what you are supposed to do.
  • `我 负责 市场部。(Wǒ fùzé shìchǎng bù.)` - “I am in charge of the marketing department.” (This is my job.)
• 承担 (chéngdān) - To bear/shoulder: This describes accountability for the outcome, especially when there's a burden (cost, failure, consequence).
  • `如果营销失败，经理要 承担 责任。(Rúguǒ yíngxiāo shībài, jīnglǐ yào chéngdān zérèn.)` - “If the marketing fails, the manager has to bear the responsibility.” (This is the accountability.)

Common Mistake:

• Incorrect: `我承担这个项目。` (Wǒ chéngdān zhège xiàngmù.)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you are “shouldering the project” as if it's a giant problem from the start. You're in charge of it, not yet bearing its negative consequences.
• Correct: `我 负责 这个项目。` (Wǒ fùzé zhège xiàngmù.) - “I am responsible for (in charge of) this project.”
• Correct: `如果项目失败了，我愿意 承担 一切后果。` (Rúguǒ xiàngmù shībài le, wǒ yuànyì chéngdān yíqiè hòuguǒ.) - “If the project fails, I am willing to bear all the consequences.”

In short: You 负责 your job every day. You only 承担 the consequences when something significant (and often negative) happens.

• 责任 (zérèn) - Responsibility, duty. The noun that is often the object of the verb 承担.
• 负责 (fùzé) - To be in charge of; responsible for. Describes the role, not the accountability for the outcome. The most important term to distinguish from 承担.
• 负担 (fùdān) - A burden, load (noun). You can 承担 a 负担.
• 后果 (hòuguǒ) - Consequences (usually negative). A common thing that one must 承担.
• 承受 (chéngshòu) - To endure, to bear (often pain, pressure, suffering). 承受 is more passive and focused on enduring hardship, while 承担 is more active and about accepting a duty. You 承受 pain; you 承担 responsibility.
• 担任 (dānrèn) - To hold a post; to serve as. Refers to having a formal position or title (e.g., `他担任经理 - He is the manager`). 承担 refers to the duties that come with that post.
• 包揽 (bāolǎn) - To take on everything; to monopolize. Has a connotation of taking on too much, or taking work from others. It's more about the scope of work than the accountability.