挑担子

挑擔子

tiāodànzi

idiom

Meanings

1 to shoulder responsibility, to take on a burden
2 to carry a heavy load (literally or figuratively)

Characters

to carry on a shoulder pole

Examples

HSK 7-9

他年轻轻就挑起了全家的担子。

Tā niánqīng qīng jiù tiāoqǐ le quánjiā de dànzi.

Still young, he already shouldered the burden of the whole family.

HSK 7-9

这副担子你挑得动吗？

Zhè fù dànzi nǐ tiāo de dòng ma?

Can you really handle this load?

Tips

usage

Frequently splits around 起, 得, 不 etc. (挑起担子, 挑得动担子). The image is the carrying-pole across both shoulders - the burden is real and felt.

Stroke Order

挑 tiāo

担 dān

子 zǐ