carry · bear

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 担 has 8 strokes and the on-reading たん. 担ぐ (かつぐ) and 担当 (たんとう) are used for carrying loads or taking roles.
• Basic usage: 担ぐ can mean carrying something on the shoulder or putting someone forward as a representative; 担当 refers to a responsibility or the person in charge.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Carrying a load, proposing a person, and taking responsibility
  • 荷物を肩に担いで means carrying a load on the shoulder. 次の代表に担ごうとしている describes intending to put someone forward as the next representative, not an already completed election.
  • 会場の案内は私が担当します says that the speaker will be responsible for guiding visitors at the venue. 新しい担当から refers to the new person in charge who sent the greeting letter.