Chinese word

责任

Pronunciation

Pinyinzé rèn

Meaning

  • nounresponsibility

Example

如果出了问题，你要承担责任。rú guǒ chū le wèn tí nǐ yào chéng dān zé rèn

If something goes wrong, you have to take responsibility.

Illustration for 责任 (responsibility)

More examples

他这样做是不负责任的。tā zhè yàng zuò shì bú fù zé rèn de

What he is doing is irresponsible.

Core concept

A duty and its consequences held by the person expected to answer for them.

Common phrases

  • 负有责任fù yǒu zé rèn

    bear responsibility

  • 不负责任bú fù zé rèn

    be irresponsible

  • 承担全部责任chéng dān quán bù zé rèn

    take full responsibility

Similar words

职责zhí zé: The tasks and responsibilities assigned to a person because of a job or role.
义务yì wù: A duty that a person must fulfill because of society or an agreement.
责任心zé rèn xīn: A responsible attitude and willingness to fulfill one's duties.

Definition in Chinese

承担自己应负的义务或对行为后果负责。chéng dān zì jǐ yīng fù de yì wù huò duì xíng wéi hòu guǒ fù zé

Word origin

责任 (zérèn, "responsibility") combines 责 (zé, "blame or demand an account") + 任 (rèn, "entrust or bear"), connecting an assigned task with accountability for what follows.

Usage tips

  • When a mistake is discussed, this word can point to who must deal with the result, not simply who caused it, so it does not automatically express blame.

Other meanings

  • dutynoun
  • liabilitynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word