负责
to be responsible for; responsible
fùzé
What does 负责 mean?
负责 (fùzé) means 'to be in charge of / take responsibility for' and, as an adjective, 'responsible / conscientious.' As a verb it takes what you're responsible for with 负责 + object or 对...负责: 他负责这个项目 (he's in charge of this project), 对结果负责 (be answerable for the results). As an adjective it praises a person's character: 他工作很负责 (he's very conscientious at work).
It is neutral and common at work and school. English speakers should note it covers two English senses that split apart: being 'in charge of / handling' a task, and being a 'responsible, reliable' person. The characters read 'bear + duty' — to shoulder one's obligation. A related caution: 负责 is answerability going forward, while 负责任 (fù zérèn) emphasizes the quality of being dutiful.
Character breakdown
to bear; to carry (a burden)
duty; responsibility; to demand
Memory hook: 负 (bear) + 责 (duty) = to shoulder the duty → be responsible for it.
Example sentences
这个项目由我负责。
Zhège xiàngmù yóu wǒ fùzé.
I'm in charge of this project.
neutral
他工作很认真，也很负责。
Tā gōngzuò hěn rènzhēn, yě hěn fùzé.
He works hard and is very conscientious.
neutral
谁负责这次活动的安排？
Shéi fùzé zhè cì huódòng de ānpái?
Who's responsible for arranging this event?
spoken
做人要对自己的选择负责。
Zuòrén yào duì zìjǐ de xuǎnzé fùzé.
You should take responsibility for your own choices.
written
Common phrases with 负责
Synonyms
管理 means 'to manage / administer' — the ongoing work of running something (managing staff, a system). 负责 emphasizes bearing responsibility and being answerable, which may or may not involve hands-on management.
承担 means 'to undertake / bear' (a cost, a duty, consequences) and is more formal. 负责 is the everyday word for being in charge of a task or being conscientious.
Don't confuse 负责 with
复杂 (complicated) sounds close to 负责 and shares an fù syllable but means 'complex,' not 'responsible.' Different first characters (负 bear vs 复 layered).
服务 (to serve / service) starts with a similar sound but means providing a service, not taking responsibility. 负责 = be in charge of; 服务 = serve.
FAQ
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