Meaning and Usage
"担当" (たんとう) means "being in charge of" or "responsible for" a particular task, role, or area. It is commonly used in workplaces, schools, and organizations to specify who handles what.
Common Contexts
You will often see "担当" used with departments, projects, or specific duties, such as "営業担当" (sales in charge) or "担当者" (person in charge). It can refer to both the role and the person fulfilling that role.
Collocations and Patterns
- 担当者 (たんとうしゃ): the person responsible
- 担当する (たんとうする): to be in charge of
- 担当部署 (たんとうぶしょ): the department responsible
- 新規担当 (しんきたんとう): in charge of new (clients, tasks, etc.)
Register and Nuance
"担当" is a neutral, formal word suitable for business and polite conversation. It is not casual slang but is widely used in everyday professional settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "担当" with "責任" (せきにん, responsibility). "担当" focuses on the assigned role or task, while "責任" emphasizes accountability and obligation. Use "担当" when referring to who is assigned to do something.