责任
zérèn
The English word 'responsibility' is translated into Chinese as 责任 (zérèn).
The term 责任 refers to a duty, obligation or liability for which someone is responsible. In written or formal contexts, it is commonly paired with the verb 承担 (chéngdān) to form the phrase 承担责任, which means 'to bear' or 'to assume' a responsibility.
Meaning: a duty, obligation or liability for which someone is responsible (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 责任 refers generally to a duty or obligation, it is distinct from 义务 (yìwù), which is used to describe more formal or legal obligations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, the term 职责 (zhízé) may be used to mean responsibility within formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can express a 'sense of responsibility' by adding the suffix 感 (gǎn), meaning 'feeling' or 'sense', to the word to form 责任感.
How do you pronounce it?
zérèn
Did you know?
- The term 承担 (chéngdān), often used with 'responsibility', uses the character 担 (dān) which means 'to carry on a shoulder pole', visualizing responsibility as a physical weight.
- In Chinese corporate culture, a manager might say they are 'taking the blame' by using 承担责任, even if they were not the one who made the mistake.
- In Chinese, the concept of 'responsibility' is deeply linked to the word 任 (rèn), which also means 'to appoint'. This highlights a historical cultural perspective where responsibility is not just a personal trait but a duty assigned by a social or political superior.
Examples in context
- 我完全不负任何责任。I don't take any responsibility at all.This sentence shows how to express a lack of responsibility using 责任.Tatoeba #8744873 by slo_oth, translation #8742958 by shekitten
- 他要负责任，但这责任他可担当不了。He had to be responsible, but this was a responsibility that he couldn’t bear.This sentence demonstrates using 责任 to describe a responsibility one cannot bear.Tatoeba #2367601 by GlossaMatik, translation #2367602 by eastasiastudent
- 太郎有很强的责任感。Taro has a strong sense of responsibility.This sentence illustrates how to use the phrase 责任感 to mean a sense of responsibility.Tatoeba #334192 by fucongcong, translation #275197 by CN
- 作为经理，我有责任确保团队的成功。As a manager, I have the responsibility to ensure the success of the team.
- 公民有义务遵守国家的法律。Citizens have a responsibility to abide by the laws of the country.
- 我们作为教育工作者有着重要的使命。We, as educators, have an important responsibility.
- 我负责明天会议的安排。I'm responsible for arranging tomorrow's meeting.
- 每个人都应该为自己的行为承担责任。Everyone should take responsibility for their own actions.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a project error at the office.
- 伟 Wei这次失误是我的责任。Zhè cì shīwù shì wǒ de zérèn.This mistake is my responsibility.
- 佳怡 Jiayi没关系，伟，我们一起解决。Méi guānxì, Wěi, wǒmen yīqǐ jiějué.It's okay, Wei, we will solve it together.
- 伟 Wei但我必须承担这个责任。Dàn wǒ bìxū chéngdān zhège zérèn.But I must take responsibility for this.
- 佳怡 Jiayi佳怡会帮你分担的。Jiāyí huì bāng nǐ fēndān de.Jiayi will help you share the burden.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
