Definition
担 (dàn) is a noun and classifier for loads carried on a shoulder pole — the physical object itself. Unlike 负担 (fùdān, a general 'burden' you bear, often abstract) or 包袱 (bāofu, a cloth bundle or mental weight), 担 is concrete: it refers to the actual load balanced on a pole. As a classifier, it measures such loads (e.g., 一担水 'one load of water').
noun
a load carried on a shoulder polea burden
classifier
used for loads carried on a shoulder pole
Easily confused
- 担dānlook-aliketo undertake, to shoulder, to bear (responsibility, risk, etc.)
- 单dānsound-alike(noun) bill; list; form (a written note)
- 但dànlook-alikebut, yet, however (conjunction indicating contrast)
- 淡dànsound-alikebland, weak, insipid (of taste or concentration)
- 查chálook-aliketo look up (a word, information in a reference)
Examples
- 担。Tā měitiān tiāo liǎng dàn shuǐ qù tián lǐ.He carries two loads of water to the fields every day.
- 担，。Zhè dàn huòwù tài zhòng le, wǒ tiāo bú dòng.This load of goods is too heavy; I can't carry it.
- 担？Yì dàn mǐ yǒu duōshao jīn?How many jin are in one load of rice?
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