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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "to serve as" with 担任 (dānrèn)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    Subject + 担任 + Role

    Explanation

    担任 (dānrèn) means "to serve as" or "to hold the position of" and is a formal verb used to describe taking on a role or responsibility. It is followed directly by the role or title, without needing 作为 or other linking words. It is common in biographical descriptions and official contexts.

    Examples

    • 她担任这家公司的首席执行官已经三年了。

      Tā dānrèn zhè jiā gōngsī de shǒuxí zhíxíng guān yǐjīng sān nián le.

      She has been serving as the CEO of this company for three years.

    • 他曾经担任过学校篮球队的队长。

      Tā céngjīng dānrèn guò xuéxiào lánqiú duì de duìzhǎng.

      He once served as the captain of the school basketball team.

    • 李教授目前担任研究中心的主任。

      Lǐ jiàoshòu mùqián dānrèn yánjiū zhōngxīn de zhǔrèn.

      Professor Li currently serves as the director of the research center.