Kanji 責: blame, condemn, censure

Key takeaways

Kanji 責: blame, condemn, censure. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

責

Meaning

blamecondemncensure

On reading

セキ

Kun reading

せ.める

Radical

貝

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 責

blame, condemn, censure

Kanji structure breakdown

責

Structure breakdown

龶 + 貝

Mnemonic story

If you borrow money (貝) to support your life (龶), you have a responsibility to pay it back. Remember this kanji by linking the duty of repayment to the blame one receives when failing that responsibility.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

セキ

責務せきむ
duty / obligation / responsibility
責任せきにん
responsibility / duty

Kun reading

せ.める

責めるせめる
to blame / to criticize / to condemn

Commonly used words

責務
せきむ
duty / obligation / responsibility
責任
せきにん
responsibility / duty
責める
せめる
to blame / to criticize / to condemn

Example sentences

Example 1

社員の責務を果たすべきだ。

Translation

Employees should fulfill their duties.

Example 2

この仕事は重要な責務だ。

Translation

This task is an important responsibility.

Example 3

チームのせきにんをもって働く。

Translation

I work with responsibility for the team.

Example 4

せきにんを果たさなければならない。

Translation

You must fulfill your responsibility.

Kanji 責: blame, condemn, censure

Kanji at a glance

Core meaning / core image

Kanji structure breakdown

Mnemonic story

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

Kun reading

Commonly used words

Example sentences

責務 (せきむ): meaning and examples

責任 (せきにん): meaning and examples

責める (せめる): meaning and examples