fēndān: 分担 - To Share (a burden, cost, or responsibility)

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 分担 (fēndān), which means to share a burden, responsibility, or cost. This is different from sharing something enjoyable. Understanding `fēndān` is key to grasping the Chinese cultural value of collectivism and mutual support in contexts like work, family, and friendships. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical usage with over ten example sentences.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fēndān
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To divide and bear a burden, responsibility, or cost among several people.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `分担` as “lightening the load.” It's not used for sharing fun things like a piece of cake or good news. Instead, it's about distributing something difficult or heavy—like chores, expenses, work, or even emotional stress—so that no single person has to carry it all. The core feeling is one of cooperation, empathy, and shared struggle.

• 分 (fēn): This character means “to divide,” “to split,” or “a part.” Imagine using a knife (刀) to cut something into two parts (八). It's all about separation and distribution.
• 担 (dān): This character means “to carry on the shoulder” or “to bear a burden.” The hand radical (扌) on the left shows an action done with the hands, while the right side gives the sound. It evokes the physical act of shouldering a heavy load.

When combined, 分担 (fēndān) literally means “to divide and carry,” which perfectly illustrates the concept of splitting a burden and each person shouldering their portion.

`分担` is a cornerstone of Chinese collectivist culture. While Western cultures often praise rugged individualism and self-reliance, Chinese culture places a high value on the group—be it the family, the team, or the community. In this context, `分担` is not just a practical strategy; it's a social and moral expectation. Within a family, it's assumed that children will help `分担` housework and, as they grow up, the financial burden of caring for their parents. Among close friends and colleagues, offering to `分担` someone's workload or stress is a powerful sign of solidarity and loyalty. This can be contrasted with the Western concept of “chipping in” or “teamwork.” While similar, `分担` often carries a deeper sense of shared fate and mutual obligation. It's less about a voluntary contribution to a temporary project and more about an ingrained, long-term responsibility to support the members of your in-group. Refusing to `分担` can be seen as selfish and a rejection of one's place within the group.

`分担` is a common, everyday word used in various contexts, from informal chats to formal business meetings.

• In the Family: This is where `分担` is most prevalent. Family members are expected to `分担家务` (fēndān jiāwù - share housework), `分担开销` (fēndān kāixiāo - share expenses), and `分担照顾老人的责任` (fēndān zhàogù lǎorén de zérèn - share the responsibility of caring for the elderly).
• At Work: In a professional setting, colleagues `分担工作` (fēndān gōngzuò - share the work) or `分担责任` (fēndān zérèn - share responsibility). A good manager knows how to effectively assign tasks so the team can `分担` the pressure.
• Among Friends: Friends might `分担` the cost of a trip or a meal (`分担费用` - fēndān fèiyòng). More importantly, good friends `分担` each other's worries and sorrows (`分担你的忧愁` - fēndān nǐ de yōuchóu).

The term is generally neutral and its connotation depends entirely on the context.

• Example 1:
  • 我们应该分担家务，而不是让你一个人做。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yīnggāi fēndān jiāwù, bùshì ràng nǐ yīgè rén zuò.
  • English: We should share the housework, not let you do it all by yourself.
  • Analysis: A classic example of `分担` used in a family context. It implies a shared responsibility.
• Example 2:
  • 为了减轻父母的经济压力，他决定和哥哥一起分担学费。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiǎnqīng fùmǔ de jīngjì yālì, tā juédìng hé gēgē yīqǐ fēndān xuéfèi.
  • English: To reduce his parents' financial pressure, he decided to share the cost of tuition with his older brother.
  • Analysis: Here, `分担` is used for a financial burden (`学费` - tuition fees). This shows a sense of filial piety and cooperation.
• Example 3:
  • 经理把这个大项目分成了几个小任务，让团队成员来分担。
  • Pinyin: Jīnglǐ bǎ zhège dà xiàngmù fēnchéngle jǐ gè xiǎo rènwù, ràng tuánduì chéngyuán lái fēndān.
  • English: The manager divided the big project into several small tasks for the team members to share.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates `分担` in a work context, referring to sharing a workload.
• Example 4:
  • 别担心，有什么困难我们一起分担。
  • Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, yǒu shénme kùnnán wǒmen yīqǐ fēndān.
  • English: Don't worry, we'll face any difficulties together. (Literally: “whatever difficulties there are, we will share them together.”)
  • Analysis: A common and comforting phrase used between friends or partners, showing emotional support. The “burden” here is abstract (`困难` - difficulties).
• Example 5:
  • 这次旅行的费用我们三个人平均分担吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì lǚxíng de fèiyòng wǒmen sān gè rén píngjūn fēndān ba.
  • English: Let's split the costs for this trip equally among the three of us.
  • Analysis: `平均分担` (píngjūn fēndān) means “to share equally,” a very practical and common phrase.
• Example 6:
  • 作为团队的一员，你必须学会与他人分担责任。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi tuánduì de yī yuán, nǐ bìxū xuéhuì yǔ tārén fēndān zérèn.
  • English: As a member of the team, you must learn to share responsibility with others.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the abstract concept of sharing `责任` (zérèn - responsibility).
• Example 7:
  • 看到你这么难过，我真希望能为你分担一些痛苦。
  • Pinyin: Kàn dào nǐ zhème nánguò, wǒ zhēn xīwàng néng wèi nǐ fēndān yīxiē tòngkǔ.
  • English: Seeing you so sad, I really wish I could share some of your pain.
  • Analysis: An emotional and empathetic use of `分担`, showing a desire to lighten someone's emotional burden (`痛苦` - pain/suffering).
• Example 8:
  • 所有投资者都需要分担这个项目的风险。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu tóuzīzhě dōu xūyào fēndān zhège xiàngmù de fēngxiǎn.
  • English: All investors need to share the risks of this project.
  • Analysis: This is a formal, business context. The “burden” being shared is `风险` (fēngxiǎn - risk).
• Example 9:
  • 他辞掉工作回家，是为了分担照顾生病母亲的重担。
  • Pinyin: Tā cídiào gōngzuò huí jiā, shì wèile fēndān zhàogù shēngbìng mǔqīn de zhòngdàn.
  • English: He quit his job and returned home in order to share the burden of taking care of his sick mother.
  • Analysis: The object here is `重担` (zhòngdàn), which literally means “a heavy burden,” making the meaning of `分担` very clear.
• Example 10:
  • 这项政策旨在更公平地在社会各阶层之间分担税收负担。
  • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng zhèngcè zhǐ zài gèng gōngpíng de zài shèhuì gè jiēcéng zhī jiān fēndān shuìshōu fùdān.
  • English: This policy aims to more fairly share the tax burden among all social classes.
  • Analysis: A very formal, societal-level use of the term, showing its scalability from personal to political contexts.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing `分担 (fēndān)` with `分享 (fēnxiǎng)`. They both translate to “share,” but are used for completely different things.

• 分担 (fēndān): To share a BURDEN (negative or neutral). Use it for work, costs, chores, responsibilities, risks, and sorrows.
• 分享 (fēnxiǎng): To share a JOY (positive). Use it for food, happiness, stories, photos, knowledge, and achievements.

Rule of Thumb: If what you're sharing makes life easier or less difficult, use `分担`. If what you're sharing is enjoyable or informative, use `分享`.

• Correct: 我们分担晚餐的费用。 (Wǒmen fēndān wǎncān de fèiyòng.) - We share the cost of the dinner.
• Incorrect: 我们分享晚餐的费用。 (Sounds like you are enjoying the “cost” itself.)
• Correct: 我想和你分享一个好消息。 (Wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ fēnxiǎng yīgè hǎo xiāoxī.) - I want to share some good news with you.
• Incorrect: 我想和你分担一个好消息。 (Sounds like the good news is a burden.)

Another nuance is that you cannot `分担` a single, indivisible physical object. You don't `分担` a car. You `分担` the cost of the car or the responsibility of driving it.

• 分享 (fēnxiǎng) - The direct counterpart to `分担`. It means to share something positive or enjoyable.
• 承担 (chéngdān) - To undertake or assume a responsibility, often by oneself. While `分担` is about dividing a burden, `承担` is about taking it on.
• 负担 (fùdān) - Noun. A burden; a load. This is often the *object* that you `分担`.
• 责任 (zérèn) - Noun. Responsibility; duty. Another common object of `分担`.
• 合作 (hézuò) - Verb. To cooperate; to work together. `分担` is a key form of `合作`.
• AA制 (AA zhì) - “To go Dutch.” A slang term that describes a specific way to `分担费用` (share costs), where everyone pays for themselves.
• 压力 (yālì) - Noun. Pressure; stress. A common emotional burden that friends and family help each other `分担`.
• 集体主义 (jítǐ zhǔyì) - Noun. Collectivism. The cultural philosophy that underpins the importance of `分担` in Chinese society.