====== fùzé: 负责 - To be responsible for, In charge of ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 负责, fuze, what does fuze mean, Chinese for responsible, in charge of in Chinese, responsibility, duty, accountability, Chinese work culture, HSK 4 vocabulary.
  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **负责 (fùzé)**, which means "to be responsible for" or "to be in charge of." This entry explores its deep cultural significance in China, where it signifies not just a task, but a profound sense of duty and accountability to a group or project. Understand how to use it correctly in business and daily life, and distinguish it from similar concepts like `责任 (zérèn)`.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** fùzé
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb / Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4
  * **Concise Definition:** To be responsible for a task, area, or duty; to be in charge of something.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **负责 (fùzé)** is the fundamental word for assigning or accepting responsibility in Chinese. It's more active than just "being accountable"; it implies you are the designated person to manage, control, and see a task through to completion. If you are **负责** for something, you own its outcome, good or bad.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **负 (fù):** To carry a burden, to bear. Pictorially, this character originally depicted a person (人) under a shell (贝), which represented valuables or property. The modern meaning is to carry a load or bear a weight.
  * **责 (zé):** Duty, responsibility, to demand. This character combines 'thorn' (朿) over 'money/valuables' (贝), suggesting a strict demand or obligation that one must fulfill, almost as if under duress.
When combined, **负责 (fùzé)** literally means "to carry a duty" or "to bear the responsibility." This powerful imagery highlights the weight and importance associated with the role.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, **负责 (fùzé)** is a cornerstone of social and professional expectations. It's deeply tied to the value of collectivism and fulfilling one's designated role within a structure (e.g., a company, a family, or society).
A useful comparison is with the Western concept of "responsibility." While both relate to accountability, **负责** often carries a heavier, more group-oriented implication. In an American context, an individual is often "responsible for their own success." In China, being **负责** means you are accountable //to the group//. Your performance directly reflects on your team, your department, and your superiors. To be described as **负责** is a high compliment, suggesting reliability and trustworthiness. Conversely, to be called **不负责 (bù fùzé)** (irresponsible) is a severe criticism that can damage one's reputation and social standing, or `面子 (miànzi)`. This is more than just a job description; it's a commitment to the collective goal.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**负责** is extremely common in everyday life, especially in the workplace.
  *   **As a Verb (To be in charge of):** This is its most common function. It's used to define roles and delegate tasks.
    *   `我负责这个项目。` (Wǒ fùzé zhège xiàngmù.) - I am in charge of this project.
    *   `谁负责联系客户？` (Shéi fùzé liánxì kèhù?) - Who is responsible for contacting the clients?
  *   **As an Adjective (Responsible):** Used to describe a person's character. It is a highly positive attribute.
    *   `他是一个很负责的员工。` (Tā shì yí ge hěn fùzé de yuángōng.) - He is a very responsible employee.
  *   **In Formal and Legal Contexts:** The phrase `对...负责 (duì...fùzé)` means "to be responsible for/to..." and is used to formally state accountability.
    *   `公司将对所有损失负责。` (Gōngsī jiāng duì suǒyǒu sǔnshī fùzé.) - The company will be responsible for all losses.
===== Example Sentences =====
  *   **Example 1:**
    *   这个项目由你**负责**。
    *   Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù yóu nǐ **fùzé**.
    *   English: You will be in charge of this project.
    *   Analysis: `由 (yóu)` is often used with `负责` to formally assign responsibility. It means "by" or "up to" someone. This is a very common sentence structure in a work setting.
  *   **Example 2:**
    *   他工作很**负责**，老板很信任他。
    *   Pinyin: Tā gōngzuò hěn **fùzé**, lǎobǎn hěn xìnrèn tā.
    *   English: He is very responsible at work, so the boss trusts him a lot.
    *   Analysis: Here, `负责` is used as an adjective to describe a person's work ethic. It's a strong compliment.
  *   **Example 3:**
    *   作为家长，你必须对孩子的行为**负责**。
    *   Pinyin: Zuòwéi jiāzhǎng, nǐ bìxū duì háizi de xíngwéi **fùzé**.
    *   English: As a parent, you must be responsible for your child's behavior.
    *   Analysis: The structure `对 [something] 负责` means "to be responsible //for// something." It clearly defines the scope of one's accountability.
  *   **Example 4:**
    *   请问，这里谁**负责**？
    *   Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhèlǐ shéi **fùzé**?
    *   English: Excuse me, who is in charge here?
    *   Analysis: A very practical and common question when you need to find the person with authority to solve a problem.
  *   **Example 5:**
    *   我们公司**负责**产品的设计和生产。
    *   Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī **fùzé** chǎnpǐn de shèjì hé shēngchǎn.
    *   English: Our company is responsible for product design and production.
    *   Analysis: This shows how `负责` can be used to describe the function or scope of an entire organization.
  *   **Example 6:**
    *   这是一个非常不**负责**的决定。
    *   Pinyin: Zhè shì yí ge fēicháng bù **fùzé** de juédìng.
    *   English: This is a very irresponsible decision.
    *   Analysis: The negation `不 (bù)` turns `负责` into its antonym, "irresponsible." It carries a strong negative connotation.
  *   **Example 7:**
    *   销售部**负责**完成今年的销售目标。
    *   Pinyin: Xiāoshòu bù **fùzé** wánchéng jīnnián de xiāoshòu mùbiāo.
    *   English: The sales department is responsible for achieving this year's sales targets.
    *   Analysis: This sentence clearly delegates a high-stakes goal to a specific department. The weight of `负责` implies they are fully accountable for the outcome.
  *   **Example 8:**
    *   我只**负责**开车，其他的事情我不管。
    *   Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐ **fùzé** kāichē, qítā de shìqing wǒ bù guǎn.
    *   English: I'm only responsible for driving, I don't deal with other matters.
    *   Analysis: `只 (zhǐ)` meaning "only" is used to limit the scope of one's responsibility. This is a common way to deflect tasks that are outside your assigned role.
  *   **Example 9:**
    *   每个人都应该为自己的选择**负责**。
    *   Pinyin: Měi ge rén dōu yīnggāi wèi zìjǐ de xuǎnzé **fùzé**.
    *   English: Everyone should be responsible for their own choices.
    *   Analysis: The structure `为...负责 (wèi...fùzé)` is similar to `对...负责` but often has a slightly more personal or moral tone, as in "to answer for" one's choices.
  *   **Example 10:**
    *   他被任命**负责**整个亚洲市场的业务。
    *   Pinyin: Tā bèi rènmìng **fùzé** zhěnggè Yàzhōu shìchǎng de yèwù.
    *   English: He was appointed to be in charge of the business for the entire Asian market.
    *   Analysis: This demonstrates a formal usage in a high-level business context. The responsibility assigned is significant.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
The most common point of confusion for English speakers is the difference between **负责 (fùzé)** and **责任 (zérèn)**.
  *   **`负责 (fùzé)` is the //action// (verb) or the //quality// (adjective).** It's what you //do// or what you //are//.
    *   **Correct (Verb):** 我**负责**这个项目。 (Wǒ fùzé zhège xiàngmù.) - I am in charge of this project.
    *   **Correct (Adjective):** 他很**负责**。 (Tā hěn fùzé.) - He is very responsible.
    *   **Incorrect:** 这是我的**负责**。
  *   **`责任 (zérèn)` is the //thing// (noun).** It is the responsibility, duty, or obligation itself.
    *   **Correct (Noun):** 这是我的**责任**。 (Zhè shì wǒ de zérèn.) - This is my responsibility.
    *   **Incorrect:** 我**责任**这个项目。
Think of it this way: A **负责** (responsible) person takes on a **责任** (responsibility). You //are// 负责, and you //have// 责任.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  *   [[责任]] (zérèn) - The noun for "responsibility" or "duty." The direct counterpart to the verb `负责`.
  *   [[主管]] (zhǔguǎn) - A noun for a supervisor, director, or person in charge; someone whose job is to `负责` a team.
  *   [[担当]] (dāndāng) - (Verb/Noun) To take on a major responsibility, often with a sense of courage and fortitude. It implies a heavier burden than `负责`.
  *   [[义务]] (yìwù) - A duty or obligation, especially in a moral, legal, or societal sense (e.g., compulsory education, jury duty). It's less about a specific job and more about a general duty.
  *   [[职责]] (zhízé) - Duties and responsibilities tied specifically to one's professional position (职位). It is more formal and specific than `责任`.
  *   [[不负责]] (bù fùzé) - The direct antonym: irresponsible, negligent.
  *   [[负责人]] (fùzérén) - A noun meaning "the person in charge." For example, `项目负责人 (xiàngmù fùzérén)` is the "project manager."