fùzé: 负责 - To be responsible for, In charge of

• Keywords: 负责, fuze, what does fuze mean, Chinese for responsible, in charge of in Chinese, responsibility, duty, accountability, Chinese work culture, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 负责 (fùzé), which means “to be responsible for” or “to be in charge of.” This entry explores its deep cultural significance in China, where it signifies not just a task, but a profound sense of duty and accountability to a group or project. Understand how to use it correctly in business and daily life, and distinguish it from similar concepts like `责任 (zérèn)`.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fùzé
• Part of Speech: Verb / Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To be responsible for a task, area, or duty; to be in charge of something.
• In a Nutshell: 负责 (fùzé) is the fundamental word for assigning or accepting responsibility in Chinese. It's more active than just “being accountable”; it implies you are the designated person to manage, control, and see a task through to completion. If you are 负责 for something, you own its outcome, good or bad.

• 负 (fù): To carry a burden, to bear. Pictorially, this character originally depicted a person (人) under a shell (贝), which represented valuables or property. The modern meaning is to carry a load or bear a weight.
• 责 (zé): Duty, responsibility, to demand. This character combines 'thorn' (朿) over 'money/valuables' (贝), suggesting a strict demand or obligation that one must fulfill, almost as if under duress.

When combined, 负责 (fùzé) literally means “to carry a duty” or “to bear the responsibility.” This powerful imagery highlights the weight and importance associated with the role.

In Chinese culture, 负责 (fùzé) is a cornerstone of social and professional expectations. It's deeply tied to the value of collectivism and fulfilling one's designated role within a structure (e.g., a company, a family, or society). A useful comparison is with the Western concept of “responsibility.” While both relate to accountability, 负责 often carries a heavier, more group-oriented implication. In an American context, an individual is often “responsible for their own success.” In China, being 负责 means you are accountable to the group. Your performance directly reflects on your team, your department, and your superiors. To be described as 负责 is a high compliment, suggesting reliability and trustworthiness. Conversely, to be called 不负责 (bù fùzé) (irresponsible) is a severe criticism that can damage one's reputation and social standing, or `面子 (miànzi)`. This is more than just a job description; it's a commitment to the collective goal.

负责 is extremely common in everyday life, especially in the workplace.

• As a Verb (To be in charge of): This is its most common function. It's used to define roles and delegate tasks.
  • `我负责这个项目。` (Wǒ fùzé zhège xiàngmù.) - I am in charge of this project.
  • `谁负责联系客户？` (Shéi fùzé liánxì kèhù?) - Who is responsible for contacting the clients?
• As an Adjective (Responsible): Used to describe a person's character. It is a highly positive attribute.
  • `他是一个很负责的员工。` (Tā shì yí ge hěn fùzé de yuángōng.) - He is a very responsible employee.
• In Formal and Legal Contexts: The phrase `对…负责 (duì…fùzé)` means “to be responsible for/to…” and is used to formally state accountability.
  • `公司将对所有损失负责。` (Gōngsī jiāng duì suǒyǒu sǔnshī fùzé.) - The company will be responsible for all losses.

• Example 1:
  • 这个项目由你负责。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù yóu nǐ fùzé.
  • English: You will be in charge of this project.
  • Analysis: `由 (yóu)` is often used with `负责` to formally assign responsibility. It means “by” or “up to” someone. This is a very common sentence structure in a work setting.
• Example 2:
  • 他工作很负责，老板很信任他。
  • Pinyin: Tā gōngzuò hěn fùzé, lǎobǎn hěn xìnrèn tā.
  • English: He is very responsible at work, so the boss trusts him a lot.
  • Analysis: Here, `负责` is used as an adjective to describe a person's work ethic. It's a strong compliment.
• Example 3:
  • 作为家长，你必须对孩子的行为负责。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi jiāzhǎng, nǐ bìxū duì háizi de xíngwéi fùzé.
  • English: As a parent, you must be responsible for your child's behavior.
  • Analysis: The structure `对 [something] 负责` means “to be responsible for something.” It clearly defines the scope of one's accountability.
• Example 4:
  • 请问，这里谁负责？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhèlǐ shéi fùzé?
  • English: Excuse me, who is in charge here?
  • Analysis: A very practical and common question when you need to find the person with authority to solve a problem.
• Example 5:
  • 我们公司负责产品的设计和生产。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī fùzé chǎnpǐn de shèjì hé shēngchǎn.
  • English: Our company is responsible for product design and production.
  • Analysis: This shows how `负责` can be used to describe the function or scope of an entire organization.
• Example 6:
  • 这是一个非常不负责的决定。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yí ge fēicháng bù fùzé de juédìng.
  • English: This is a very irresponsible decision.
  • Analysis: The negation `不 (bù)` turns `负责` into its antonym, “irresponsible.” It carries a strong negative connotation.
• Example 7:
  • 销售部负责完成今年的销售目标。
  • Pinyin: Xiāoshòu bù fùzé wánchéng jīnnián de xiāoshòu mùbiāo.
  • English: The sales department is responsible for achieving this year's sales targets.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly delegates a high-stakes goal to a specific department. The weight of `负责` implies they are fully accountable for the outcome.
• Example 8:
  • 我只负责开车，其他的事情我不管。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐ fùzé kāichē, qítā de shìqing wǒ bù guǎn.
  • English: I'm only responsible for driving, I don't deal with other matters.
  • Analysis: `只 (zhǐ)` meaning “only” is used to limit the scope of one's responsibility. This is a common way to deflect tasks that are outside your assigned role.
• Example 9:
  • 每个人都应该为自己的选择负责。
  • Pinyin: Měi ge rén dōu yīnggāi wèi zìjǐ de xuǎnzé fùzé.
  • English: Everyone should be responsible for their own choices.
  • Analysis: The structure `为…负责 (wèi…fùzé)` is similar to `对…负责` but often has a slightly more personal or moral tone, as in “to answer for” one's choices.
• Example 10:
  • 他被任命负责整个亚洲市场的业务。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi rènmìng fùzé zhěnggè Yàzhōu shìchǎng de yèwù.
  • English: He was appointed to be in charge of the business for the entire Asian market.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a formal usage in a high-level business context. The responsibility assigned is significant.

The most common point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between 负责 (fùzé) and 责任 (zérèn).

• `负责 (fùzé)` is the action (verb) or the quality (adjective). It's what you do or what you are.
  • Correct (Verb): 我负责这个项目。 (Wǒ fùzé zhège xiàngmù.) - I am in charge of this project.
  • Correct (Adjective): 他很负责。 (Tā hěn fùzé.) - He is very responsible.
  • Incorrect: 这是我的负责。
• `责任 (zérèn)` is the thing (noun). It is the responsibility, duty, or obligation itself.
  • Correct (Noun): 这是我的责任。 (Zhè shì wǒ de zérèn.) - This is my responsibility.
  • Incorrect: 我责任这个项目。

Think of it this way: A 负责 (responsible) person takes on a 责任 (responsibility). You are 负责, and you have 责任.

• 责任 (zérèn) - The noun for “responsibility” or “duty.” The direct counterpart to the verb `负责`.
• 主管 (zhǔguǎn) - A noun for a supervisor, director, or person in charge; someone whose job is to `负责` a team.
• 担当 (dāndāng) - (Verb/Noun) To take on a major responsibility, often with a sense of courage and fortitude. It implies a heavier burden than `负责`.
• 义务 (yìwù) - A duty or obligation, especially in a moral, legal, or societal sense (e.g., compulsory education, jury duty). It's less about a specific job and more about a general duty.
• 职责 (zhízé) - Duties and responsibilities tied specifically to one's professional position (职位). It is more formal and specific than `责任`.
• 不负责 (bù fùzé) - The direct antonym: irresponsible, negligent.
• 负责人 (fùzérén) - A noun meaning “the person in charge.” For example, `项目负责人 (xiàngmù fùzérén)` is the “project manager.”