当 dāng
“to be; to act as; manage”
preposition, verbHSK 4 · 2021 list level 2Traditional 當
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
当 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entries. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1135: 当 dāng — Level 4; official annotation 4 (动、介). PDF page 108
- Entry 2250: 当 dàng — Level 5; official annotation 5 (动). PDF page 136
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 当
当 most commonly means 'to serve as' or 'work as' in a role or profession. It is followed directly by the role, as in 当老师 or 当医生. Use 了 after 当 to show that someone took on the role: 他当了老师.
例句Example sentences
- 我姐姐想当老师。wǒ jiě jie xiǎng dāng lǎo shī.My older sister wants to be a teacher.
- 他以前当过医生，现在做生意。tā yǐ qián dāng guò yī sheng, xiàn zài zuò shēng yi.He used to work as a doctor; now he runs a business.
- 你长大了想当什么？nǐ zhǎng dà le xiǎng dāng shén me?What do you want to be when you grow up?
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我想当老师工作。
✓我想当老师。
当 already means 'work as', so you do not add 工作 after the role.
义项All meanings
- dāng: (onom.) dong; ding dong (bell)
- dāng: to be; to act as; manage; withstand; when; during
- dàng: at or in the very same...; suitable; adequate; fitting; proper; to replace