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

Tā jiānshàng de dànzi hěn zhòng.
The burden on his shoulders is heavy.
Jiālǐ de dànzi quán luò zài tā shēnshàng.
The entire family burden fell on her shoulders.
Niánqīngrén yào gǎnyú tiāodànzi.
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 () with heavy baskets on each end — that's the literal 担子, and figuratively it represents life's burdens.

Stroke Order

dān