任 means “entrust, responsibility”

まかせる · makaseru

Also: duty, term, entrust to

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

まかせる, まかす

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ニン

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 5 · 6 strokes

The story

A person (亻) beside 壬, a shape like a load slung across the shoulders: someone handed the weight to carry. Order お任せ at a sushi counter and you 任せる the meal to the chef; 責任 is the weight that stays with you.

Used in 任せる (makaseru, to entrust), 責任 (sekinin, responsibility), and お任せ (omakase, chef's choice)

More from At the Office

• 係 person in charge
• 局 bureau
• 職 job
• 役 role
• 備 prepare
• 席 seat
• 労 labor
• 号 number
• 具 tool
• 勤 work for
• 部 part
• 約 promise

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.