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Expressing 'shoulder' with 肩 (jiān)
Actions & Events
Obligation & Necessity
Structure
肩 + Responsibility/Duty
Explanation
The word 肩 (jiān) means 'shoulder' as a noun, but it can also function as a verb meaning 'to shoulder' or 'to bear,' as in shouldering a responsibility or duty. In this verbal usage, it conveys the idea of taking on a weighty obligation, often used in formal or literary contexts.
Examples
他默默地肩负起了照顾全家的责任。
Tā mòmò de jiānfù qǐ le zhàogù quánjiā de zérèn.
He silently took on the responsibility of caring for the whole family.
她拍了拍我的肩，让我别太担心。
Tā pāi le pāi wǒ de jiān, ràng wǒ bié tài dānxīn.
She patted me on the shoulder and told me not to worry too much.
年轻一代要勇于肩负时代的重任。
Niánqīng yī dài yào yǒngyú jiānfù shídài de zhòngrèn.
The younger generation should bravely shoulder the important responsibilities of the era.