責 – JLPT N3 Kanji, Kanji for blame, censure, condemn

責

Strokes: 11

Meanings: blame, censure, condemn
Onyomi: セキ
Kunyomi: せ.める
Name Readings
JLPT: N3
Grade: 5
Frequency: -
Kanji Writing Practice: Practice

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Story

The kanji 責 is formed from two parts: 貝, meaning “shell” or “valuable goods,” and an upper element that originally depicted a hand pressing down. In ancient times, shells were used as money, so 貝 represented something valuable or owed. When combined with the idea of pressing or demanding, the character showed someone being held accountable for something of value. Over time, this image became the concept of responsibility, duty, and sometimes blame — the weight placed on a person to answer for something important.

Short Story

責 shows value or goods (貝) being pressed or demanded from someone, symbolizing the burden of responsibility or being held accountable. It captures the feeling of carrying a duty you must answer for.

Mnemonic

Imagine someone pressing you for something valuable (貝), demanding that you take responsibility — that pressure is the heart of 責.

Vocabulary Examples

Word	Reading	Meaning	Meta
責	せき	responsibility, duty, obligation	Noun
責任	せきにん	duty, responsibility (incl. supervision of staff)	common JLPT-N3 Noun
責める	せめる	to condemn, to blame, to criticize, to criticise, to reproach, to accuse	common JLPT-N3 Ichidan verb, Transitive verb
責務	せきむ	duty, obligation	common JLPT-N1 Noun
責任者	せきにんしゃ	person in charge (including a supervisory role for other staff), person responsible for ..., responsible party, supervisor, manager	common Noun
責任感	せきにんかん	sense of responsibility	common Noun
責任逃れ	せきにんのがれ	avoiding or dodging responsibility	Noun, Suru verb
責め立てる	せめたてる	to criticize harshly, to blame, to accuse, to grill	Ichidan verb, Transitive verb
責任を持つ	せきにんをもつ	to be responsible for, to bear the responsibility of	common Expressions (phrases, clauses, etc.), Godan verb with 'tsu' ending
責め	せめ	responsibility, liability, blame	Noun

Showing up to 15 entries including the Kanji.

Example Sentences

Example #1

仕事の責任を持ちます。

しごとのせきにんをもちます

shigoto no sekinin o mochimasu

I take responsibility for my work.

Example #2

責任を果たすことが大切です。

せきにんをはたすことがたいせつです

sekinin o hatasu koto ga taisetsu desu

It’s important to fulfill your responsibilities.

Example #3

ミスの責任を取ります。

ミスのせきにんをとります

misu no sekinin o torimasu

I will take responsibility for the mistake.

Example #4

責められるのは嫌です。

せめられるのはいやです

semerareru no wa iya desu

I don’t like being blamed.

Example #5

責任を持って行動してください。

せきにんをもってこうどうしてください

sekinin o motte koudou shite kudasai

Please act responsibly.

Example #6

彼は責任感が強いです。

かれはせきにんかんがつよいです

kare wa sekininkan ga tsuyoi desu

He has a strong sense of responsibility.

Example #7

ミスの責任を誰かに押し付けないでください。

ミスのせきにんをだれかにおしつけないでください

misu no sekinin o dareka ni oshitsukenaide kudasai

Don’t put the responsibility for mistakes on someone else.

Example #8

責めるだけでは解決しません。

せめるだけではかいけつしません

semeru dake dewa kaiketsu shimasen

Just blaming doesn’t solve anything.

Example #9

責任を果たすために頑張ります。

せきにんをはたすためにがんばります

sekinin o hatasu tame ni ganbarimasu

I will work hard to fulfill my responsibilities.

Example #10

部長は責任を取って辞めました。

ぶちょうはせきにんをとってやめました

buchou wa sekinin o totte yamemashita

The manager resigned to take responsibility.

Example #11

責任感を持つことは大事です。

せきにんかんをもつことはだいじです

sekininkan o motsu koto wa daiji desu

Having a sense of responsibility is important.

Example #12

責任を逃れようとしないでください。

せきにんをのがれようとしないでください

sekinin o nogareyou to shinaide kudasai

Don’t try to escape responsibility.

Example #13

子どもに責任感を教えます。

こどもにせきにんかんをおしえます

kodomo ni sekininkan o oshiemasu

I teach children about responsibility.

Example #14

責められるのは辛いです。

せめられるのはつらいです

semerareru no wa tsurai desu

Being blamed is painful.

Example #15

全ての責任は私にあります。

すべてのせきにんはわたしにあります

subete no sekinin wa watashi ni arimasu

All responsibility is on me.

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Kanji Info

Kanji: 責

JLPT: n3

Strokes: 11

Grade: 5

Unicode: 8CAC

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