干系 (gān xì) is a formal, somewhat literary noun meaning 'responsibility' or 'involvement'—especially in matters that carry blame, risk, or moral/legal consequences. Though the character 干 can mean 'to do' or 'dry', and 系 means 'system' or 'connection', together they convey the idea of being 'connected to' or 'implicated in' an event, often negatively. It implies accountability, frequently when something has gone wrong.

This word appears most often in written Chinese, legal contexts, historical narratives, or serious speech—not in casual daily conversation. It’s commonly used with verbs like 有 (yǒu, 'to have'), 没有 (méi yǒu, 'to lack'), or 负 (fù, 'to bear') to indicate whether someone bears responsibility. Unlike the neutral term 责任 (zérèn), 干系 carries a subtle connotation of potential guilt or entanglement, making it unsuitable for positive or routine responsibilities like work duties or family care.