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

他年轻轻就挑起了全家的担子。

Tā niánqīngqīng jiù tiāoqǐle quán jiā de dànzi.

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

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