当家做主 (dāng jiā zuò zhǔ) — to be master of one's own affairs; to be in charge; to have control over one's own matters

Definition

A set phrase meaning to be the one who decides and manages one's own affairs, often used for households, communities, or a people. Highlights autonomy and decision-making power, stronger than just 负责.

verb
to be master of one's own affairsto be in chargeto have control over one's own matters
Easily confused

Examples

  • 当家做主，。
    Rén mín dāng jiā zuò zhǔ, shì guó jiā de zhǔ rén.
    The people are the masters of the country.
  • 当家做主，。
    Wǒ men yào xué huì dāng jiā zuò zhǔ, zì jǐ guǎn lǐ zì jǐ de shēng huó.
    We need to learn to be in charge and manage our own lives.
  • 当家做主，。
    Zhè ge shè qū shí xíng dāng jiā zuò zhǔ zhì dù, jū mín zì jǐ jué cè.
    This community implements a system of self-governance where residents make their own decisions.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

当家take charge of a household
当dāngtake charge家jiāhousehold
动宾Verb + object
做主make the decisions
做zuòmake/do主zhǔmaster/decision
动宾Verb + object

当家 means taking charge of a household, and 做主 means making the decisions; together they express being in control of one's affairs.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 當; 当 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
Sound part声符shēngfú
尚
尚shàng當dāng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 當 combines 田 (field) with 尚; the evidence describes fields facing each other.

Open 当 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀miánroof
Sound part声符shēngfú
𢑓
𢑓𢑓家jiā
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The early drawing of 家 showed a roof 宀 over a male-pig sign 𢑓 that gave the pronunciation; the lower part later changed shape.

Open 家 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 做 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old forms that became 主 showed a lamp or torch with a flame at the top; other forms showed wood on fire or a spirit tablet.

Open 主 →

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