承担 (chéngdān)

承担 means to bear, undertake, or shoulder a responsibility, cost, or burden, implying a willing or necessary acceptance of something significant.

Meanings

[verb] to bear; to undertake; to shoulder; to take on (responsibility)

Example Sentences

他愿意承担这个项目的全部责任。 Tā yuànyì chéngdān zhège xiàngmù de quánbù zérèn. He is willing to take full responsibility for this project.

父母为孩子承担了很多压力。 Fùmǔ wèi háizi chéngdānle hěn duō yālì. Parents bear a lot of pressure for their children.

公司决定承担培训员工的费用。 Gōngsī juédìng chéngdān péixùn yuángōng de fèiyòng. The company decided to bear the cost of training employees.

每个人都应该承担自己的社会责任。 Měi gè rén dōu yīnggāi chéngdān zìjǐ de shèhuì zérèn. Everyone should shoulder their own social responsibilities.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
承担责任	to bear responsibility
承担费用	to bear costs
承担风险	to bear risks
承担后果	to bear consequences

Usage Notes

承担 is commonly paired with 责任 (responsibility), 费用 (cost), 风险 (risk), or 后果 (consequences). It implies accepting and carrying a burden, often voluntarily or out of duty. It is stronger and more formal than just 负责 (to be responsible) and conveys a sense of actively taking something on.

Memory Hook

承 means "to receive/accept" and 担 means "to carry on a shoulder pole." So 承担 is to receive and then carry it on your shoulders: taking on a burden and bearing it.