# 义不容辞

yì bù róng cí

Have a duty one should not decline

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Duty permits no refusal

**Traditional Chinese:** 義不容辭

**Register:** Positive · formal

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

## When to use it

Express a strong moral responsibility to help or act.

A personal commitment, not grounds to demand unlimited sacrifice.

## Understanding the expression

The expression treats a responsibility as too morally important to refuse casually. It often appears when someone accepts a public task or helps a person in need. The force comes from obligation and willingness, not compulsion alone. A speaker may use it to promise sincere support. However, the wording does not establish that every request is reasonable; the particular duty and the person's capacity should remain clear in the context.

## Examples

保护学生安全，教师义不容辞。

### Traditional Chinese

保護學生安全，教師義不容辭。

bǎo hù xué shēng ān quán ， jiào shī yì bù róng cí 。

Teachers have a duty to protect students.

朋友遇到困难，我义不容辞。

### Traditional Chinese

朋友遇到困難，我義不容辭。

péng yǒu yù dào kùn nán ， wǒ yì bù róng cí 。

I feel bound to help a friend in difficulty.

维护公共卫生，我们义不容辞。

### Traditional Chinese

維護公共衛生，我們義不容辭。

wéi hù gōng gòng wèi shēng ， wǒ men yì bù róng cí 。

We have a responsibility to safeguard public health.

既然负责这个项目，他义不容辞。

### Traditional Chinese

既然負責這個項目，他義不容辭。

jì rán fù zé zhè ge xiàng mù ， tā yì bù róng cí 。

As project lead, he cannot shirk the responsibility.

## 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%BE%A9%E4%B8%8D%E5%AE%B9%E8%BE%AD)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=471&webMd=1&la=0)

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