Chinese word

充当

Pronunciation

Pinyinchōng dāng

Meaning

  • verbserve as

Example

这个箱子可以充当临时椅子。zhè ge xiāng zi ké yǐ chōng dāng lín shí yǐ zi

This box can serve as a temporary chair.

Illustration for 充当 (serve as)

More examples

在很多谈判中，他常常被请来充当中间人。zài hěn duō tán pàn zhōng tā cháng cháng bèi qǐng lái chōng dāng zhōng jiān rén

In many negotiations, he is often asked to act as an intermediary.

Core concept

Assigns an available person or thing to a needed role or purpose, making it a practical stand-in, support, or resource.

Common phrases

  • 充当角色chōng dāng jué sè

    play a role

  • 充当中间人chōng dāng zhōng jiān rén

    act as an intermediary

  • 充当桥梁chōng dāng qiáo liáng

    serve as a bridge

Similar words

作为zuò wéi: Serve in a stated role or capacity, especially as part of a formal arrangement.
担任dān rèn: Hold a particular job, office, or official role and carry out its duties.
代替dài tì: Take the place of a person or thing in a task or function.
当作dàng zuò: Treat one thing as another for a purpose, even though it is not literally that thing.

Definition in Chinese

把某物或某人用作另一种角色或功能，起到代替或补充作用，常含有临时或权宜之意。bǎ mǒu wù huò mǒu rén yòng zuò lìng yì zhǒng jué sè huò gōng néng qǐ dào dài tì huò bǔ chōng zuò yòng cháng hán yǒu lín shí huò quán yí zhī yì

Word origin

充当 (chōngdāng, "serve as") is formed from 充 (chōng, "fill") and 当 (dāng, "act as"), expressing the idea of supplying a needed function through another person or thing.

Usage tips

  • The role noun commonly follows the verb, which makes the assigned function explicit instead of simply describing what the person or object normally is.

Other meanings

  • substitute forverb
  • allocateverb

Word lists with this word