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  1. Home /
  2. Dictionaries /
  3. 汉英词典 /
  4. 敢作敢为

敢作敢为

gǎn zuò gǎn wéi◆idiom
bold and decisive

他敢作敢为,从不犹豫不决。

He is bold and decisive, never hesitant.


◆ What It Really Means
The willingness to take bold and decisive action without hesitation, coupled with a readiness to take responsibility for the consequences.
¶ Literal Meaning
To dare to act and to dare to do.
Literal Breakdown
敢作dare to act+敢为dare to do
◇ Mental Image
Imagine a person charging forward fearlessly, ready to tackle any challenge head-on, symbolizing courage and decisiveness.
◈ When to Use
A startup founder decides to launch a new product despite market uncertainty, taking full responsibility for the outcome.
◉ Cultural Note
The idiom reflects Confucian values of courage, responsibility, and proactive leadership, which are highly valued in Chinese culture.
formal

Willing to take bold action without hesitation, showing courage and decisiveness in difficult situations.

这位企业家敢作敢为,带领公司度过重重难关。

This entrepreneur is bold and decisive, leading the company through numerous crises.

面对挑战,他总是敢作敢为,从不退缩。

Facing challenges, he always acts boldly and decisively, never backing down.

Often used to describe leaders, entrepreneurs, or individuals who take initiative in high-stakes situations.

Collocations

敢作敢为的精神spirit of boldness and decisiveness敢作敢为的态度bold and decisive attitude敢作敢为的行动bold and decisive action

Synonyms

敢作敢当敢为人先敢于担当

Antonyms

畏首畏尾优柔寡断瞻前顾后

Related Phrases

敢作敢当idiom
dare to act and dare to take responsibility
敢为人先idiom
dare to be the first to take action
敢于担当idiom
dare to take on responsibilities

Pro Tip

Usage Context

Use '敢作敢为' to describe someone who takes bold and decisive action, especially in leadership or high-pressure situations. It carries a positive connotation of courage and responsibility.

Gold Rule

Avoid Confusion with Literal Meaning

Do not interpret '敢作敢为' literally as 'daring to do and daring to act.' The idiom conveys a figurative meaning of boldness and decisiveness, not just physical daring.

Word Origin

The idiom originates from the Confucian classic '论语' (Analects), where Confucius praises those who act with courage and responsibility. The phrase combines '敢作' (dare to act) and '敢为' (dare to do), emphasizing proactive and fearless behavior.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used to praise someone's courage and decisiveness in leadership or challenging situations. It implies not only taking action but also being willing to take responsibility for the outcomes.

Word Breakdown

敢作
dare to act
verb phrase
+
敢为
dare to do
verb phrase
汉英词典
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