Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To shoulder one's share of responsibility; to lend a shoulder: The phrase describes the act of joining others to contribute effort and take on a portion of a common burden, task, or responsibility. It implies collaborative effort and shared duty.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Mọi người cùng ghé vai để dựng lại ngôi nhà. (Everyone lent a shoulder to rebuild the house.)
  • Anh ấy sẵn sàng ghé vai gánh vác việc chung. (He is ready to shoulder his share of the common work.)
  • Chúng ta phải biết ghé vai khi cộng đồng gặp khó khăn. (We must know how to lend our shoulders when the community faces difficulties.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is almost always used in a figurative sense to denote moral or physical support within a group. It carries a positive connotation of voluntarism, solidarity, and collective spirit.

Variants and Related Words

• Ghé vai gánh vác (verb phrase): To shoulder and bear (a responsibility); a more complete and common idiom emphasizing taking on and carrying a burden.
  • Thanh niên nên ghé vai gánh vác việc nước. (Young people should shoulder the country's affairs.)

Synonyms

• To contribute: to give (effort, help) to a common purpose.
• To pitch in: to join others in helping with a task.
• To share the burden: to take on part of a difficult responsibility with others.

Related Idioms

• Chung tay góp sức: to join hands and contribute strength; a closely related idiom emphasizing collective contribution.
  • Cả xóm chung tay góp sức, ghé vai sửa cây cầu. (The whole village joined hands, lent their shoulders to repair the bridge.)

1. Shoulder one's share of responsibility for
   • Ghé vai gánh vác việc công
     To shoulder one's share of responsibility for public affairs