Meaning
The kanji 担 captures the idea of bearing something on your shoulders — physically and metaphorically at once. Hoisting a heavy bag onto your back is 担ぐ. Taking on a project at work and owning it is 担う. One character, two registers.
Structurally, 担 is built from two parts: 扌 on the left (the hand radical, a compressed form of 手), and 旦 on the right — the sun rising above the horizon, signaling a foundation, a starting point. Together they suggest a hand reaching out to lift something weighty from the ground. Whether the load is a sack of rice or a professional deadline, 担 is about actively stepping up and taking something on.
This is a grade-8 Joyo kanji and a core N2 item. At just 8 strokes, it's compact for what it expresses. In workplace Japanese it's everywhere — job titles, contracts, team emails. If you deal with Japanese companies, you'll meet this kanji daily.
The traditional form is 擔, with a more complex right side. Modern Japanese uses the simplified 担 exclusively.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
担 has one on'yomi: タン (tan). It appears almost entirely in compound words and dominates written and professional Japanese.
- 担当 (tantō) — being in charge; the responsible person. The phrase 「担当者は誰ですか？」 (Who's handling this?) is a daily fixture in any Japanese office.
- 担任 (tannin) — homeroom teacher. Each class has a 担任の先生 who oversees students' academic life and general wellbeing.
- 担保 (tanpo) — collateral; security pledged against a loan. A standard term in contracts and banking.
- 担架 (tanka) — a stretcher for carrying an injured person. The most literal, physical expression of 担 in action.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
担 has two kun'yomi, both tied to the act of carrying or bearing.
かつ.ぐ (katsu.gu) — To carry on the shoulder. Picture festival-goers hoisting a portable shrine (御輿). Colloquially, it also means to trick someone — as if you're "carrying them along."
- 担ぐ (katsugu) — to carry on one's shoulder; to deceive
- 神輿を担ぐ (mikoshi wo katsugu) — to carry a portable shrine at a festival
にな.う (nina.u) — More metaphorical. To shoulder a responsibility, carry a mission forward. This reading shows up in formal writing, speeches, and anything with a sense of legacy or duty.
- 未来を担う (mirai wo ninau) — to carry the future (used when describing the next generation)
- 役割を担う (yakuwari wo ninau) — to take on a role; to bear a responsibility
Common Words & Compounds
These clusters group 担 by theme. Learn them together and the kanji's range of meanings will click faster.
Responsibility & Work
- 担当 (tantō) — being in charge; the assigned person
- 担任 (tannin) — homeroom/class teacher
- 分担 (buntan) — division of duties; shared responsibilities
- 担当者 (tantōsha) — the person in charge; the representative handling a matter
Burden & Load
- 負担 (futan) — burden; financial or emotional cost one must bear
- 担架 (tanka) — stretcher; used to carry injured or ill people
Security & Guarantee
- 担保 (tanpo) — collateral; security pledged for a loan
- 無担保 (mutanpo) — unsecured (loan); without collateral
Participation
- 加担 (katan) — participation; involvement — often in something negative, like a scheme or cover-up
Carrying (Physical & Figurative)
- 担ぎ屋 (katsugiya) — a superstitious person; someone who takes omens and lucky charms very seriously
- 担い手 (ninaite) — a bearer; someone who carries on a tradition, craft, or mission
Example Sentences
このプロジェクトの担当は田中さんです。
Kono purojekuto no tantō wa Tanaka-san desu.
Ms. Tanaka is in charge of this project.
学費の負担が大きくて、困っています。
Gakuhi no futan ga ōkikute, komatteimasu.
The financial burden of tuition fees is heavy, and I'm struggling.
仕事を分担すれば、もっと早く終わります。
Shigoto wo buntan sureba, motto hayaku owarimasu.
If we divide up the work, we'll finish much faster.
彼は祭で神輿を元気よく担いでいた。
Kare wa matsuri de mikoshi wo genkiyoku katsuide ita.
He was energetically carrying the portable shrine at the festival.
若者たちが日本の未来を担っている。
Wakamono-tachi ga Nihon no mirai wo ninatte iru.
The youth are shouldering Japan's future.
担任の先生は私のことをよく理解してくれている。
Tannin no sensei wa watashi no koto wo yoku rikai shite kurete iru.
My homeroom teacher really understands me.
銀行に担保として家を提供した。
Ginkō ni tanpo to shite ie wo teikyō shita.
I offered my house as collateral to the bank.
あの事件に加担したとは信じられない。
Ano jiken ni katan shita to wa shinjirarenai.
I can't believe he was involved in that incident.
子育ての負担を夫婦で分担することが大切です。
Kosodate no futan wo fūfu de buntan suru koto ga taisetsu desu.
Couples sharing the burden of childraising is what matters.
救急隊員が担架で患者を運んだ。
Kyūkyū taiin ga tanka de kanja wo hakonda.
The paramedics transported the patient on a stretcher.
Memory Tip
Picture someone pressing their hand (扌) onto a heavy crate just as the sun breaks the horizon (旦 — dawn). It's early. Nobody else is up. This person is already taking on the weight before the day has started. Hand + dawn + load = 担: to carry, to shoulder, to own a responsibility.