承担: meaning, pinyin, and usage

Title: Understanding "承担" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 承担
• Pinyin: chéngdān
• Literal Meaning: “to receive/take on” + “to carry/bear”
• Primary Meaning: to undertake, to bear, to take responsibility for, to assume responsibility or a burden

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 承担 is commonly used when someone accepts or takes on a responsibility, duty, cost, risk, consequence, or task. It often sounds more formal than everyday verbs like 做, “to do,” or 负责, “to be responsible for.” In English, it can be translated as “to undertake,” “to bear,” “to shoulder,” or “to take responsibility for,” depending on the context.

You often see 承担 used with nouns such as:
- 承担责任 — to take responsibility
- 承担风险 — to bear/take on risk
- 承担费用 — to cover/bear the cost
- 承担任务 — to undertake a task
- 承担后果 — to bear the consequences

A key nuance is that 承担 often implies weight or burden. The thing being taken on may require effort, courage, money, accountability, or sacrifice.

• Character Breakdown:
• 承 means “to receive,” “to accept,” “to inherit,” or “to undertake.” It suggests accepting something that comes to you.
• 担 means “to carry,” “to bear,” or “to shoulder.” It often relates to carrying a load or burden.

Together, 承担 gives the idea of “accepting and carrying” something, especially a responsibility or burden.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 他愿意承担这个项目的责任。
• Pinyin: Tā yuànyì chéngdān zhège xiàngmù de zérèn.

• English: He is willing to take responsibility for this project.

• Chinese: 公司会承担所有的运输费用。

• Pinyin: Gōngsī huì chéngdān suǒyǒu de yùnshū fèiyòng.

• English: The company will cover all transportation costs.

• Chinese: 如果你做错了决定，就要承担后果。

• Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zuò cuò le juédìng, jiù yào chéngdān hòuguǒ.
• English: If you make the wrong decision, you must bear the consequences.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In Chinese society, words related to responsibility are very important in family, school, workplace, and social contexts. 承担 often carries a serious and mature tone. For example, saying someone 能承担责任, “can take responsibility,” is a positive description. It suggests the person is reliable, mature, and trustworthy.

In professional settings, 承担 is especially common in formal speech and writing. You may see it in contracts, company announcements, news reports, or discussions about duties and obligations.

Conclusion

承担 means “to take on” or “to bear” a responsibility, burden, cost, risk, or consequence. Remember the image behind the word: 承 means “to accept,” and 担 means “to carry.” Together, 承担 means accepting something and carrying its weight.