任重道远

任重道遠

rènzhòng-dàoyuǎn

idiom #44,160

Meanings

1 the burden is heavy and the road is long
2 to shoulder heavy responsibilities over a long course
3 a long, arduous task ahead

Characters

burden; responsibility

Examples

HSK 3

实现环境保护的目标，任重道远。

Shíxiàn huánjìng bǎohù de mùbiāo, rènzhòng-dàoyuǎn.

Achieving environmental protection goals is a heavy and long-term task.

HSK 7-9

作为一名教师，我深感任重道远。

Zuòwéi yì míng jiàoshī, wǒ shēngǎn rènzhòng-dàoyuǎn.

As a teacher, I deeply feel the weight of the long road ahead.

Tips

history

From 《论语·泰伯》 where Zeng Zi says: 士不可以不弘毅，任重而道远 - a scholar must be resolute because the burden (benevolence itself) is heavy and the journey long. Strong Confucian overtones.

register

Formal and slightly self-sacrificial in tone. Used when accepting a serious long-term responsibility - speeches, editorials, inauguration statements.

Stroke Order

任 rèn

重 zhòng

道 dào

远 yuǎn