担子

擔子
dànzi
noun HSK 7-9 #18,846

Measure Word

Meanings

  1. 1 carrying pole and its loads
  2. 2 burden
  3. 3 responsibility

Examples

HSK 4
Jiālǐ de dànzi quán luò zài tā shēnshàng.
The entire family burden fell on her shoulders.
HSK 5
Tā jiānshàng de dànzi hěn zhòng.
The burden on his shoulders is heavy.
HSK 6
Niánqīngrén yào gǎnyú tiāo dànzi.
Young people should dare to take on responsibilities.

Tips

usage
担子 literally means a carrying pole with loads, but is most often used figuratively for 'burden' or 'responsibility.' Common collocations: 挑担子 (shoulder a burden), 放下担子 (put down one's burden).
memory
Picture a traditional Chinese shoulder pole (扁担) with heavy baskets on each end - that's the literal 担子, and figuratively it represents life's burdens.

Stroke Order

dān