独当一面

獨當一面

dúdāngyīmiàn

idiom #41,936

Meanings

1 to take charge of one area on one's own
2 to handle a major responsibility single-handed
3 to stand on one's own

Characters

to undertake; to bear

Examples

经过几年锻炼，他已经能独当一面了。

Jīngguò jǐ nián duànliàn, tā yǐjīng néng dúdāngyīmiàn le.

After a few years of training, he can now handle major responsibilities on his own.

公司需要一个能独当一面的项目经理。

Gōngsī xūyào yīgè néng dúdāngyīmiàn de xiàngmù jīnglǐ.

The company needs a project manager who can stand on his own two feet.

这位年轻医生已经可以独当一面做手术了。

Zhè wèi niánqīng yīshēng yǐjīng kěyǐ dúdāngyīmiàn zuò shǒushù le.

This young doctor can now perform surgery on his own.

Tips

history

From Sima Qian's 《史记·留侯世家》 (Western Han): Zhang Liang tells Liu Bang that among his generals only Han Xin is worthy of great responsibility — "独韩信可属大事，当一面" — capable of holding one side of the fight alone. The modern form 独当一面 compresses this directly.

usage

Positive — describes professional competence and readiness for autonomous responsibility. Common collocations: 能独当一面, 可以独当一面. Often paired with 培养, 锻炼, 成长为.

Stroke Order

独 dú

当 dāng

一 yī

面 miàn