B1 Collocation Formell 1 Min. Lesezeit

책임을 지다

যৌগyeongeul jida

take responsibility

Jetzt üben

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A powerful way to say you're owning your actions, whether they're good or bad.

  • Means: To carry the burden of duty or accountability.
  • Used in: Job interviews, apologies, and leadership discussions.
  • Don't confuse: Don't use it for just 'doing a task'; it implies 'consequences'.
💼 + 🎒 = 🙇‍♂️ (Duty + Carrying = Accountability)

Erklärung auf deinem Niveau:

This phrase means 'to be the person who says sorry or fixes a problem.' In Korea, people think of responsibility like a heavy bag on your back. If you do something wrong, you carry the bag. It is used at work or when you make a big mistake. It is a very important and serious phrase.
책임을 지다 comes from the word '책임' (responsibility) and '지다' (to carry on your back). It means you will accept the results of your actions. You can use it when you promise to do a job or when you apologize for a mistake. For example, 'I will take responsibility for this project.' It is more serious than just saying 'I will do it.'
At the B1 level, you should use '책임을 지다' to express professional accountability. It is a collocation where the noun '{책임|責任}' (duty/blame) meets the verb '지다' (to bear/carry). It is commonly used in workplace scenarios to indicate who is in charge of a task or who will handle the consequences if things go wrong. You will often see it in the form '책임지고 ~하다' (to take responsibility and do something). It's essential for intermediate learners to distinguish this from simply 'doing' a task, as it implies a deeper level of commitment and potential consequence.
This collocation is vital for navigating Korean corporate and social hierarchies. '책임을 지다' implies not just the execution of a task, but the ultimate accountability for its success or failure. In B2 contexts, you'll encounter it in discussions about social issues, corporate ethics, and legal liabilities. It's often contrasted with '책임을 전가하다' (to shift responsibility to others). Understanding the nuance between '책임을 맡다' (assuming a role) and '책임을 지다' (bearing the burden of outcomes) is key to achieving upper-intermediate fluency in professional Korean.
Linguistically, '책임을 지다' functions as a metaphorical extension of physical labor to abstract moral agency. In advanced discourse, this phrase is used to analyze systemic failures versus individual accountability. One must master the various registers, from the humble '책임을 통감하다' used in public apologies to the assertive '책임지고 완수하겠습니다' in project proposals. The phrase also appears in complex grammatical structures like '책임을 지우다' (to impose responsibility), which is central to legal and ethical debates in Korean society regarding who should bear the 'burden' of historical or social events.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, '책임을 지다' embodies the 'Responsibility as a Physical Burden' conceptual metaphor, deeply rooted in the Korean agrarian history of the 'jige'. Mastery at this level involves recognizing the subtle socio-political implications of the phrase—how it is used to perform 'Chemyeon' (face-saving) through ritualistic resignations or how it anchors the ethical framework of 'Uri' (collective responsibility). A C2 learner understands that 'taking responsibility' in a Korean context is often a performative act of social harmony, requiring a sophisticated grasp of honorifics and the ability to navigate the tension between individual agency and collective expectation.

Bedeutung

To accept accountability for an action or situation.

🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

In Korean corporate culture, 'taking responsibility' often involves a symbolic resignation (사퇴) to protect the company's image. The idea of responsibility is tied to 'filial piety' and 'loyalty'. One is responsible for the honor of their family and organization. Younger Koreans use '책임지다' less formally, often in the context of 'who is paying for dinner' or 'who is leading the group project'. Korean law distinguishes between 'civil responsibility' (민사 책임) and 'criminal responsibility' (형사 책임).

💡

Use in Interviews

Saying '책임감이 강합니다' (I have a strong sense of responsibility) is a top-tier answer in Korean job interviews.

⚠️

Legal Caution

In a car accident, saying '내가 책임질게' can be used as an admission of guilt. Be careful with your wording.

💡

Use in Interviews

Saying '책임감이 강합니다' (I have a strong sense of responsibility) is a top-tier answer in Korean job interviews.

⚠️

Legal Caution

In a car accident, saying '내가 책임질게' can be used as an admission of guilt. Be careful with your wording.

🎯

The '을' Particle

Drop the '을' in casual speech ('책임질게') to sound more like a native speaker.

💬

The Resignation Culture

Understand that 'taking responsibility' in news often means the person is quitting their job.

Teste dich selbst

Fill in the blank with the correct form of '책임을 지다'.

제가 이번 실수에 대해 ( )겠습니다.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 책임을 지

The standard phrase for 'I will take responsibility' is '책임을 지겠습니다'.

Which sentence is the most natural in a job interview?

Choose the best answer:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 저는 맡은 일에 대해 끝까지 책임지는 사람입니다.

This shows a strong sense of responsibility, which is a positive trait.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 이 사고는 누구 때문이죠? B: ( )

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 제가 책임지고 해결하겠습니다.

This is a proactive and responsible response to a problem.

Match the phrase to the situation.

Match '책임을 통감하다' to the correct context.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: A CEO apologizing for a data leak

'책임을 통감하다' is a very formal expression used in serious public apologies.

🎉 Ergebnis: /4

Visuelle Lernhilfen

지다 vs 맡다

책임을 지다
Consequences Focus on results
Apologies Taking blame
책임을 맡다
Roles Focus on duty
Assignments Being in charge

Aufgabensammlung

5 Aufgaben
Wähle die richtige Antwort Fill Blank

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Fill in the blank with the correct form of '책임을 지다'. Fill Blank B1

제가 이번 실수에 대해 ( )겠습니다.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 책임을 지

The standard phrase for 'I will take responsibility' is '책임을 지겠습니다'.

Which sentence is the most natural in a job interview? Choose B1

Choose the best answer:

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 저는 맡은 일에 대해 끝까지 책임지는 사람입니다.

This shows a strong sense of responsibility, which is a positive trait.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: 이 사고는 누구 때문이죠? B: ( )

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 제가 책임지고 해결하겠습니다.

This is a proactive and responsible response to a problem.

Match the phrase to the situation. situation_matching B2

Match '책임을 통감하다' to the correct context.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: A CEO apologizing for a data leak

'책임을 통감하다' is a very formal expression used in serious public apologies.

🎉 Ergebnis: /5

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, it is often written and used as a single verb, though '책임을 지다' is also correct.

It's better to use '할게요' for small tasks. '책임지다' sounds very heavy.

The opposite is '책임을 회피하다' (to avoid responsibility).

You can say '제가 책임지고 살게요' or more commonly '제가 낼게요'.

It means 'to be irresponsible'.

Yes, very often in both office dramas and romantic scenes.

Yes, '자식을 책임지다' is a common expression for parenting.

'책임' is responsibility/accountability, while '의무' is a mandatory duty or legal obligation.

You use '책임을 묻다' (literally: to ask for responsibility).

Yes, it is a very respectful and mature thing to say.

Verwandte Redewendungen

🔗

책임을 맡다

similar

To take on a role/duty

🔗

책임을 다하다

builds on

To fulfill one's responsibility

🔗

책임을 회피하다

contrast

To avoid responsibility

🔗

책임을 전가하다

contrast

To shift blame to someone else

🔗

책임감

specialized form

Sense of responsibility

Wo du es verwendest

🏢

At the Office

Manager: 이 프로젝트 실패하면 누가 책임질 거예요?

Employee: 제가 팀장으로서 모든 책임을 지겠습니다.

formal
🚗

Car Accident

Driver A: 보험 처리하고 제가 다 책임질게요. 걱정 마세요.

Driver B: 네, 연락처 좀 주시겠어요?

neutral
🎤

Job Interview

Interviewer: 본인의 가장 큰 장점은 무엇인가요?

Applicant: 저는 맡은 일은 끝까지 책임지는 성격입니다.

formal
👶

Parenting

Friend: 아이 키우는 게 힘들지 않아?

Parent: 힘들지만 한 생명을 책임지는 일이라 보람차.

neutral
💍

Romantic Promise

Boyfriend: 평생 너를 책임지고 행복하게 해줄게.

Girlfriend: 말만 하지 말고 행동으로 보여줘!

informal
📺

Public Apology

CEO: 이번 사태에 대해 책임을 통감하며 사퇴하겠습니다.

Reporter: 구체적인 보상 계획은 무엇입니까?

very_formal

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Chek-im' (Check him) - if you have to 'check him' for a mistake, he needs to 'take responsibility' (지다).

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person wearing a traditional Korean wooden backpack (jige) loaded with heavy stones labeled 'DUTY'. They are walking uphill, showing the effort of 'bearing' it.

Rhyme

책임을 지고, 끝까지 가고 (Take responsibility, and go to the end).

Story

A young employee breaks a printer. Instead of hiding, he puts on a backpack and says, 'I will carry this printer and the blame!' He is '책임을 지고' (carrying the responsibility) to the repair shop.

In Other Languages

In Japanese, '責任を取る' (Sekinin o toru) means 'to take responsibility,' but Korean uses 'carry' (지다) instead of 'take' (取る), emphasizing the burden.

Word Web

책임감책임자무책임책임지다책임 소재도의적 책임법적 책임

Herausforderung

Try to use '제가 책임지고 [action]할게요' at least once today when promising to do something for a friend or colleague.

Review this phrase 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after learning to cement the 'burden' metaphor.

Aussprache

Stress Even stress on both words, but '책임' is slightly more emphasized.

The 'k' sound in 'chaek' is unreleased before 'i'.

The 'j' is soft, like in 'jeep'.

Formalitätsspektrum

Formell
제가 이 일에 대해 책임을 지겠습니다.

제가 이 일에 대해 책임을 지겠습니다. (General commitment)

Neutral
제가 이 일은 책임질게요.

제가 이 일은 책임질게요. (General commitment)

Informell
내가 책임질게.

내가 책임질게. (General commitment)

Umgangssprache
내가 독박 쓸게. (I'll take the whole hit/blame.)

내가 독박 쓸게. (I'll take the whole hit/blame.) (General commitment)

The word '{책임|責任}' is composed of '{책|責}' (to demand/blame) and '{임|任}' (burden/office). The verb '지다' is a native Korean word meaning to carry a load on the back.

Joseon Dynasty:
Early 20th Century:
Modern Day:

Wusstest du?

The 'jige' (A-frame carrier) was so efficient that American soldiers during the Korean War called it the 'A-frame' and were amazed by how much weight Koreans could carry on their backs.

Kulturelle Hinweise

In Korean corporate culture, 'taking responsibility' often involves a symbolic resignation (사퇴) to protect the company's image.

“The CEO resigned to take responsibility for the accounting scandal.”

The idea of responsibility is tied to 'filial piety' and 'loyalty'. One is responsible for the honor of their family and organization.

“Children feel a '책임' to support their aging parents.”

Younger Koreans use '책임지다' less formally, often in the context of 'who is paying for dinner' or 'who is leading the group project'.

“이번 밥값은 내가 책임질게! (I'll take care of the bill this time!)”

Korean law distinguishes between 'civil responsibility' (민사 책임) and 'criminal responsibility' (형사 책임).

“The court ruled that the driver bears full civil responsibility.”

Gesprächseinstiege

“

살면서 가장 큰 책임을 졌던 적은 언제인가요?

“

리더는 어떤 책임을 져야 한다고 생각하세요?

“

반려동물을 키우는 데 어떤 책임이 따를까요?

“

실수를 했을 때 바로 책임을 지는 편인가요?

Häufige Fehler

✗

책임을 받다

✓

책임을 지다 / 맡다

literal translation
Learners often translate 'receive responsibility' literally. In Korean, you 'carry' (지다) or 'take on' (맡다) responsibility.

L1 Interference

0
✗

책임을 하다

✓

책임을 다하다

wrong verb
'책임을 하다' is grammatically awkward. Use '책임을 다하다' to mean 'to fulfill one's duty'.

L1 Interference

0 1
✗

책임을 지우다 (when you mean 'take')

✓

책임을 지다

wrong conjugation
'지우다' is the causative form, meaning 'to make someone else carry the burden'. Using it for yourself sounds like you are blaming someone else.

L1 Interference

0
✗

책임에 지다

✓

책임을 지다

wrong preposition
Using the wrong particle. '지다' takes the object particle '을/를'.

L1 Interference

0 1

In Other Languages

English Very Similar

To take responsibility

Korean emphasizes the 'burden' aspect.

Japanese Very Similar

責任を取る (Sekinin o toru)

The verb choice (take vs. carry).

Chinese Very Similar

承担责任 (Chéngdān zérèn)

Chinese is more formal in its standard form.

Spanish moderate

Hacerse cargo / Asumir la responsabilidad

Focuses on 'taking charge' rather than 'bearing weight'.

French moderate

Assumer la responsabilité

Sounds more abstract and intellectual.

German moderate

Verantwortung übernehmen

Focuses on the 'taking over' of a task.

Arabic Very Similar

تحمل المسؤولية (Tahammul al-mas'uuliyya)

The root of 'mas'uuliyya' is 'to be asked', focusing on being questioned.

Portuguese moderate

Assumir a responsabilidade

Less emphasis on the physical burden.

Spotted in the Real World

📺

(2014)

“책임질 수 있는 선택을 해라.”

A manager giving advice to an intern about making decisions in the workplace.

🎬

(2017)

“자신의 삶에 책임을 지는 것은 쉽지 않다.”

Discussing the weight of one's actions during the afterlife trials.

📰

(2023)

“정부는 이번 사태에 대해 책임을 지고 사과했다.”

Reporting on a government official's response to a public issue.

Leicht verwechselbar

책임을 지다 vs. 책임을 지우다

Learners confuse '지다' (to carry) with '지우다' (to make carry/to erase).

Remember '지다' is for YOU, '지우다' is for OTHERS (or erasing).

책임을 지다 vs. 부담을 주다

Both involve 'burdens'.

'책임' is about duty/blame; '부담' is about feeling pressured or inconvenienced.

Häufig gestellte Fragen (10)

Yes, it is often written and used as a single verb, though '책임을 지다' is also correct.

grammar mechanics

It's better to use '할게요' for small tasks. '책임지다' sounds very heavy.

usage contexts

The opposite is '책임을 회피하다' (to avoid responsibility).

basic understanding

You can say '제가 책임지고 살게요' or more commonly '제가 낼게요'.

practical tips

It means 'to be irresponsible'.

vocabulary

Yes, very often in both office dramas and romantic scenes.

cultural usage

Yes, '자식을 책임지다' is a common expression for parenting.

usage contexts

'책임' is responsibility/accountability, while '의무' is a mandatory duty or legal obligation.

comparisons

You use '책임을 묻다' (literally: to ask for responsibility).

grammar mechanics

Yes, it is a very respectful and mature thing to say.

practical tips

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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