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道Nihongo Path
責

責·blame, responsibility

On-yomi
セキ
Kun-yomi
せめる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

11 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
責任せきにんresponsibility
責めるせめるto blame, to criticise
責任者せきにんしゃperson in charge
無責任むせきにんirresponsible

Example sentences

  1. この仕事の責任は私にあります。

    このしごとのせきにんはわたしにあります。

    The responsibility for this job is mine.

  2. 失敗しても自分を責めないでください。

    しっぱいしてもじぶんをせめないでください。

    Even if you fail, don't blame yourself.

  3. 責任者を呼んでいただけますか。

    せきにんしゃをよんでいただけますか。

    Could you call the person in charge?

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 責める (to blame a person) and 攻める (to attack) are both せめる
  • Reading 無責任 as ぶせきにん — it is むせきにん

Memory aid

Picture it

貝, the old shell-money, sits at the bottom — once money is involved, somebody has to carry the responsibility.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 責 mean?