# 当仁不让

dāng rén bù ràng

Take responsibility without stepping aside

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Do not yield when duty calls

**Traditional Chinese:** 當仁不讓

**Register:** Positive · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe willingly taking on a proper responsibility.

Not a license to seize every opportunity or override others.

## Understanding the expression

The expression places moral responsibility ahead of excessive modesty. When a useful task genuinely calls for action, a person should not endlessly insist that someone else take it. It often describes volunteering leadership or providing needed expertise. The emphasis differs from aggressive ambition: the task matters more than personal credit. Context should establish why the person is suited to act, since taking over without consultation can undermine the responsibility being claimed.

## Examples

急救时她当仁不让，马上组织救援。

### Traditional Chinese

急救時她當仁不讓，馬上組織救援。

jí jiù shí tā dāng rén bù ràng ， mǎ shàng zǔ zhī jiù yuán 。

She took charge of rescue when urgent help was needed.

需要翻译，他当仁不让地站了出来。

### Traditional Chinese

需要翻譯，他當仁不讓地站了出來。

xū yào fān yì ， tā dāng rén bù ràng dì zhàn le chū lái 。

He stepped forward when a translator was needed.

这项任务我熟悉，自然当仁不让。

### Traditional Chinese

這項任務我熟悉，自然當仁不讓。

zhè xiàng rèn wu wǒ shú xī ， zì rán dāng rén bù ràng 。

I know this task and willingly take responsibility.

她当仁不让地承担了协调工作。

### Traditional Chinese

她當仁不讓地承擔了協調工作。

tā dāng rén bù ràng dì chéng dān le xié tiáo gōng zuò 。

She readily took on the coordination work.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%95%B6%E4%BB%81%E4%B8%8D%E8%AE%93)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=475&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

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