Meaning and Usage
"負担" (ふたん) primarily means "burden" or "responsibility," often referring to financial costs, workload, or other obligations that someone must bear. It is a noun but frequently used with verbs like "する" (to do) to express "to bear a burden" or "to take responsibility."
Common Contexts
You will often see "負担" in contexts related to money (費用の負担 - bearing costs), work (仕事の負担 - workload), or emotional/physical stress. It is a formal word suitable for both written and spoken Japanese, especially in business or official settings.
Collocations and Patterns
- 費用を負担する: to bear the cost; used when someone pays for something.
- 負担が大きい: the burden is heavy; used to describe a heavy responsibility or cost.
- 負担をかける: to impose a burden; often used when warning not to trouble someone.
Usage Tips
When using "負担," be aware it often implies a responsibility that is somewhat heavy or difficult. It is not used for light or trivial tasks. Learners sometimes confuse "負担" with simpler words like "責任" (responsibility), but "負担" emphasizes the weight or difficulty of the responsibility. Use it when you want to highlight the effort, cost, or stress involved.