独当一面

獨當一面

dúdāng-yīmiàn

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 dúdāng-yīmiàn 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 dúdāng-yīmiàn 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。

Zhèwèi niánqīng yīshēng yǐjīng kěyǐ dúdāng-yīmiàn 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