Definition

1. Verb:
   • To carry (a load) using a shoulder pole: The primary meaning refers to the action of transporting goods or items balanced on a shoulder pole (đòn gánh), a traditional Vietnamese carrying tool.
   • To bear a burden, to shoulder a responsibility (figurative): Often used metaphorically to describe taking on a heavy duty, responsibility, or hardship.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Literal):

  • Bà ấy gánh gồng rau ra chợ bán mỗi sáng. (She carries vegetables to the market to sell every morning using a shoulder pole.)
  • Người nông dân gánh gồng hai thúng lúa nặng trĩu. (The farmer carries two heavy baskets of rice on a shoulder pole.)

• Verb (Figurative):

  • Anh ấy phải một mình gánh gồng trách nhiệm nuôi cả gia đình. (He alone has to bear the responsibility of supporting the whole family.)
  • Cô ấy gánh gồng mọi nỗi lo toan cho công ty. (She shoulders all the worries for the company.)

Advanced Usage

• "gánh gồng vất vả": to carry/toil laboriously; to bear arduous burdens.

  • Cuộc sống mưu sinh đầy gánh gồng vất vả. (The life of making a living is full of laborious toil and burdens.)

• "gánh gồng gánh vác": a reinforcing phrase emphasizing the act of bearing significant duties.

  • Người trưởng thành phải biết gánh gồng gánh vác. (Adults must know how to shoulder responsibilities.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gánh (verb): To carry on a shoulder pole; a load, a burden. Often used interchangeably with but can be slightly simpler.
• Gánh vác (verb): To undertake, to assume (a duty, responsibility). More commonly used in the figurative sense than the literal one.
• Đòn gánh (noun): The shoulder pole, the tool used for .
• Gánh nặng (noun): A burden, a heavy load (both literal and figurative).

Synonyms

• Khiêng (verb): To carry (by two or more people, typically on a pole or by hand).
• Vác (verb): To carry on one's shoulder or back.
• Đảm đương (verb): To undertake, to assume (responsibility). More formal than the figurative use of .

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Gánh lấy: To take upon oneself (a consequence, a duty).
  • Anh ta phải gánh lấy hậu quả cho hành động của mình. (He must bear the consequences of his actions.)

Related Idioms

• "Gánh nặng áo cơm": The burden of making a living (literally: the burden of clothes and rice).

  • Gánh nặng áo cơm đè lên đôi vai. (The burden of making a living weighs on the shoulders.)

• "Một mình gánh vác": To shoulder (responsibilities) alone.

  • Bà mẹ một mình gánh vác việc nhà. (The mother shoulders the housework alone.)