# 责无旁贷

zé wú páng dài

Have a responsibility that cannot be shifted away

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Responsibility cannot be lent elsewhere

**Traditional Chinese:** 責無旁貸

**Register:** Formal · literary

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Emphasize a duty one must personally undertake.

Shared duties still require cooperation.

## Understanding the expression

The responsibility belongs here and cannot simply be handed to someone else. The expression strongly affirms an obligation, often in public service, care, or professional work. It can support accountability when people are tempted to pass blame around. It does not mean one person must perform every part alone. Help and delegation may be necessary, but the person or institution with the duty remains answerable for making sure it is fulfilled.

## Examples

保护学生，学校责无旁贷。

### Traditional Chinese

保護學生，學校責無旁貸。

bǎo hù xué shēng ， xué xiào zé wú páng dài 。

The school has an unshirkable duty to protect students.

照顾孩子，父母责无旁贷。

### Traditional Chinese

照顧孩子，父母責無旁貸。

zhào gù hái zi ， fù mǔ zé wú páng dài 。

Parents must take responsibility for caring for their children.

核实报道，记者责无旁贷。

### Traditional Chinese

核實報道，記者責無旁貸。

hé shí bào dào ， jì zhě zé wú páng dài 。

Journalists are duty-bound to verify their reports.

维护设备，我们责无旁贷。

### Traditional Chinese

維護設備，我們責無旁貸。

wéi hù shè bèi ， wǒ men zé wú páng dài 。

Maintaining the equipment is our responsibility to undertake.

## 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=%E8%B2%AC%E7%84%A1%E6%97%81%E8%B2%B8)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=938&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [斩草除根 zhǎn cǎo chú gēn Eliminate a problem completely at its source ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhan-cao-chu-gen)

- [斩钉截铁 zhǎn dīng jié tiě Speak or act decisively without hesitation ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhan-ding-jie-tie)

- [瞻前顾后 zhān qián gù hòu Weigh consequences, sometimes too hesitantly ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhan-qian-gu-hou)

- [朝秦暮楚 zhāo qín mù chǔ Switch loyalties or choices opportunistically ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhao-qin-mu-chu)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 再接再厉 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zai-jie-zai-li) [Next idiom 斩草除根 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zhan-cao-chu-gen)