Meaning of 责任
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- responsibility; duty; liability
How to use 责任
责任 is a noun, so it often follows verbs like 有 (yǒu), 负 (fù), or 承担 (chéngdān). It also appears in phrases like 责任心 (zérènxīn), a sense of responsibility. Example: 这是我的责任。(Zhè shì wǒ de zérèn.) This is my responsibility.
Think of 责 (zé) as a duty you are held to, and 任 (rèn) as a load a person 亻 carries on their shoulders. Put together, 责任 is the duty you carry.
Common mistake: Learners often use 责任 as a verb, as in 我责任这个项目. Use 负责 (fùzé) for the verb instead: 我负责这个项目 (Wǒ fùzé zhège xiàngmù), I am in charge of this project.
责任 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
责 zé · one's responsibility · 8 strokes
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任 rèn · to assign · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 责任.
| 任何 | rènhé | any; whatever; whichever |
| 任务 | rènwu | mission; assignment; task; duty; role |
| 负责 | fùzé | to be responsible for; to be in charge of; to bear responsibility for; conscientious |
| 信任 | xìnrèn | to trust; to have confidence in |
| 主任 | zhǔrèn | director; head |
| 担任 | dānrèn | to hold a governmental office or post; to assume office of |
| 指责 | zhǐzé | to criticize; to find fault with |
| 负责人 | fùzérén | person in charge |
| 职责 | zhízé | duty; responsibility |
| 责怪 | zéguài | to blame; to rebuke |
| 前任 | qiánrèn | predecessor; ex- |
| 任命 | rènmìng | to appoint; (job) appointment |
Questions about 责任
What does 责任 mean?
责任 (zérèn) means "responsibility; duty; liability" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 责任?
责任 is made of 2 characters: 责 (8 strokes), 任 (6 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 责任 an HSK word?
Yes. 责任 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 责任 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 责任 is written 責任.
What is the difference between 责任 and 任务?
责任 (zérèn) is a responsibility or obligation you hold, often moral or legal. 任务 (rènwu) is a specific task or assignment given to you. You complete a 任务, but you bear a 责任.
How do you say someone is responsible or irresponsible as a personal trait?
Say 有责任心 (yǒu zérènxīn), to have a sense of responsibility, or 没有责任心 (méiyǒu zérènxīn) for the opposite. You can also call someone 很负责 (hěn fùzé), very conscientious.