noun
responsibility, duty
B1
Verantwortung (die) means responsibility or duty, often used for obligations and roles. It commonly appears with the preposition 'für' (Verantwortung für etwas tragen). The noun is feminine, plural Verantwortungen; singular is default for abstract uses. No irregular plural, regular declension as shown.
Examples
Ich übernehme die Verantwortung.
I take responsibility.
Der junge Mitarbeiter übernahm Verantwortung, nachdem sein Vorgesetzter krank geworden war.
The young employee took over responsibility after his supervisor had fallen ill.
Es ist deine Verantwortung, die Tür abzuschließen.
It's your duty to lock the door.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a heavy backpack labeled 'Verantwortung' that someone carries — that weight is responsibility
sounds like 'responsibility' which is the meaning
Die Verantwortung — 'die' is feminine; think of a single strong 'she' holding the backpack
Notes
Often used as an uncountable noun in German (die Verantwortung). A plural 'Verantwortungen' exists but is less common. Common collocations: 'Verantwortung übernehmen' (to take responsibility), 'Verantwortung tragen' (to bear responsibility).