dāng / dàng: 当 - To Be, To Act As, When, To Regard As

• Keywords: dang Chinese meaning, 当 pinyin, dāng vs dàng, 当 grammar, how to use 当, 当 as when, 当 as to be, 当 to regard as, Chinese character dang, HSK 当, Chinese grammar point
• Summary: The Chinese character 当 (dāng/dàng) is one of the most versatile and essential words for learners to master. Depending on its tone, it can function as a verb meaning “to be” or “to act as” (dāng), a preposition meaning “when” or “at the time of” (dāng), or a verb meaning “to treat as” or “to regard as” (dàng). Understanding the difference between dāng and dàng is crucial for grasping fundamental Chinese grammar, from describing your profession to telling a story about the past. This page will break down its core meanings, uses, and common pitfalls.

The character 当 has two primary pronunciations and meanings, which are not interchangeable. It's critical to learn them separately.

1. –

Meaning 1: dāng (1st Tone)

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dāng
• Part of Speech: Verb, Preposition
• HSK Level: HSK 2 (as a verb), HSK 3 (as 'when')
• Concise Definition: To work as, to be (in a role); or, at a certain time or place (when).
• In a Nutshell: Think of dāng as being about function, role, and time. When you dāng a doctor, you are fulfilling the role and function of a doctor. It's about what you do. When an event happens dāng… de shíhou (当…的时候), it happens at that moment. It places you directly “in” a role or “at” a point in time.

1. –

Meaning 2: dàng (4th Tone)

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dàng
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To treat as, to regard as, to consider, to pawn.
• In a Nutshell: Think of dàng as being about perception and equivalence. It's a mental action. If you dàng someone as a friend, you consider them to be a friend in your mind. It's about how you mentally categorize or value something. The structure `把 A 当 B (bǎ A dàng B)` is very common, meaning “to treat A as B”.

• 当 (dāng/dàng): This character can be seen as a combination of `尚 (shàng)` on top and `田 (tián)` on the bottom.
  • `尚 (shàng)` can represent something high or esteemed.
  • `田 (tián)` means “field.”
• A simple way to remember it is to imagine someone standing in a field (`田`), holding a position of responsibility (`尚`). This connects to the meaning of “to be in a role” or “to face” a situation. The character implies a direct correspondence or facing a duty, which fits both “acting as” a professional and being “at” a specific time.

The use of `dāng` (当) to mean “to act as a…” reveals a subtle but important cultural perspective on professions and roles. In English, you say “I am a teacher,” which primarily states your identity. In Chinese, saying `我当老师 (wǒ dāng lǎoshī)` emphasizes the function and responsibility of the role. It's less about a static identity and more about the active fulfillment of duties associated with that position. This aligns with traditional Confucian values where society functions harmoniously when everyone properly fulfills their designated role (e.g., a ruler acts as a proper ruler, a father as a proper father). While modern China is complex, this linguistic nuance reflects a deep-seated cultural emphasis on social roles and the responsibilities they entail. `当` is not just “being,” it's “doing the job of being.” Similarly, `dàng` (to regard as) is powerful in social contexts. The phrase `你当我是什么？(Nǐ dàng wǒ shì shénme?)`—“What do you take me for?”—is a potent expression of indignation, questioning how another person perceives and values you. It highlights the importance of how one is seen and treated, which is closely related to the concepts of face and social respect.

This character is ubiquitous in daily life. Here’s how you'll encounter it:

• As `dāng` (to be in a role): Extremely common for talking about jobs and family roles.
  • `他想当医生。(Tā xiǎng dāng yīshēng.)` - He wants to be a doctor.
  • `当父母不容易。(Dāng fùmǔ bù róngyì.)` - Being a parent isn't easy.
• As `dāng… de shíhou` (when): This is a fundamental grammar structure for creating a time clause. It sets the scene for the main action of a sentence.
  • `当我到家的时候，他已经睡了。(Dāng wǒ dàojiā de shíhou, tā yǐjīng shuì le.)` - When I got home, he was already asleep.
• As `dāng` (in front of / on the spot): This usage implies immediacy and presence.
  • `他当着我的面撒谎。(Tā dāngzhe wǒ de miàn sāhuǎng.)` - He lied right to my face.
  • `警察当场抓住了他。(Jǐngchá dāngchǎng zhuāzhù le tā.)` - The police caught him on the spot.
• As `dàng` (to treat as / regard as): Used to express perception, often in the `把…当…` pattern.
  • `别把我当傻瓜！(Bié bǎ wǒ dàng shǎguā!)` - Don't treat me like an idiot!
  • `我一直把你当成我最好的朋友。(Wǒ yīzhí bǎ nǐ dàngchéng wǒ zuì hǎo de péngyǒu.)` - I've always considered you my best friend.

• Example 1:
  • 我姐姐想当一名律师。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jiějiě xiǎng dāng yī míng lǜshī.
  • English: My older sister wants to be a lawyer.
  • Analysis: Here, `当 (dāng)` is used to talk about a profession. It means “to work as” or “to become.” This is a very common use for career aspirations.
• Example 2:
  • 当我还是个学生的时候，我有很多空闲时间。
  • Pinyin: Dāng wǒ háishì ge xuéshēng de shíhou, wǒ yǒu hěnduō kòngxián shíjiān.
  • English: When I was still a student, I had a lot of free time.
  • Analysis: This shows the classic `当…的时候 (dāng… de shíhou)` structure to mean “when.” It sets up the background condition (being a student) for the main clause (having free time).
• Example 3:
  • 你别当我不知道你在想什么。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bié dàng wǒ bù zhīdào nǐ zài xiǎng shénme.
  • English: Don't think that I don't know what you're thinking.
  • Analysis: This uses `当 (dàng)` to mean “to think” or “to assume.” The speaker is telling the other person not to make a wrong assumption about them. Notice the 4th tone pronunciation is crucial here.
• Example 4:
  • 他当了十年老师，经验很丰富。
  • Pinyin: Tā dāng le shí nián lǎoshī, jīngyàn hěn fēngfù.
  • English: He has been a teacher for ten years and is very experienced.
  • Analysis: `当了 (dāng le)` indicates having served in a role for a period of time. It emphasizes the duration of the action/role.
• Example 5:
  • 请不要当着孩子的面吵架。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng búyào dāngzhe háizi de miàn chǎojià.
  • English: Please don't argue in front of the children.
  • Analysis: `当着…的面 (dāngzhe… de miàn)` is a set phrase meaning “in the presence of…” or “right in front of…”. It conveys a sense of immediacy and publicness.
• Example 6:
  • 他把我的警告当耳边风。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ wǒ de jǐnggào dàng ěrbiānfēng.
  • English: He treated my warning as wind by his ear (i.e., he ignored it).
  • Analysis: A perfect example of the `把 A 当 B (bǎ A dàng B)` structure. `耳边风 (ěrbiānfēng)` is an idiom for something that is ignored. `当 (dàng)` means “to treat as.”
• Example 7:
  • A: 你能帮我吗？ (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?)

B: 当然！ (Dāngrán!)

• English: A: Can you help me? B: Of course!
• Analysis: `当然 (dāngrán)` is an extremely common adverb that learners should master early. It contains `当 (dāng)`.
• Example 8:
• 我们当天就出发了。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen dāngtiān jiù chūfā le.
• English: We set out that very day.
• Analysis: `当天 (dāngtiān)` means “on that same day.” It emphasizes that the action happened without delay.
• Example 9:
• 我真后悔，我上当了。
• Pinyin: Wǒ zhēn hòuhuǐ, wǒ shàngdàng le.
• English: I really regret it, I was fooled.
• Analysis: `上当 (shàngdàng)` is a common verb meaning “to be tricked” or “to fall for a scam.” It uses the `dàng` pronunciation.
• Example 10:
• 你可以把这里当自己家。
• Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ bǎ zhèlǐ dàng zìjǐ jiā.
• English: You can treat this place as your own home.
• Analysis: Another classic `把 A 当 B` structure. This is a very common and hospitable phrase in Chinese culture, using `当 (dàng)` to mean “to regard as” or “to treat as.”

• `dāng` (当) vs. `shì` (是) - The Biggest Pitfall:
  • Beginners often confuse `当` and `是` when talking about professions.
  • `我是老师。(Wǒ shì lǎoshī.)` → “I am a teacher.” This states your identity. It's a fact about who you are.
  • `我当老师。(Wǒ dāng lǎoshī.)` → “I work as a teacher.” This describes your function or role. You use `当` when talking about the job itself, the experience, or the action of being in that role.
  • Incorrect: `我想是医生。` (Xiǎng shì yīshēng.) This is wrong. You must say `我想当医生。` (Wǒ xiǎng dāng yīshēng.) because you are talking about aspiring to a role/function.
• Forgetting the Pronunciation Change:
  • The meaning completely changes with the tone. In written Chinese without pinyin, context is your only guide.
  • `他当我是朋友。(Tā dāng wǒ shì péngyǒu.)` could mean “He is my friend” (if he is, for example, a temporary guide acting as a friend).
  • `他当我是朋友。(Tā dàng wǒ shì péngyǒu.)` means “He regards me as a friend.”
  • The second meaning (`dàng`) is far more common in this specific sentence structure. Always pay attention to context.
• Using `当` for Adjectives:
  • You cannot use `当` to mean “to be” with an adjective.
  • Incorrect: `我当高兴。`
  • Correct: `我很高兴。(Wǒ hěn gāoxìng.)` - I am very happy.
  • `当` is for roles and professions (nouns), not states of being (adjectives).

• 当然 (dāngrán) - Of course; naturally. A fundamental adverb built from `当`.
• 当时 (dāngshí) - At that time; then. A more concise version of the `当…的时候` structure.
• 担当 (dāndāng) - To take on; to bear (a responsibility). This word powerfully combines `当` (to be in a role) with `担` (to carry), meaning to shoulder a responsibility.
• 当心 (dāngxīn) - Be careful; to look out. Literally means to “attend to the heart/mind.”
• 上当 (shàngdàng) - To be tricked; to fall for a scam. The most common term using the `dàng` pronunciation.
• 当作 (dàngzuò) - To treat as; to regard as. A synonym for `当 (dàng)` in the `把…当作…` structure.
• 适当 (shìdàng) - Suitable; appropriate. Relates to the idea of something “matching” (`当`) what is “right” (`适`).
• 当面 (dāngmiàn) - To somebody's face; in person.
• 当地 (dāngdì) - Local; in that place.