指责

• Pinyin: zhǐ zé
• Hanzi breakdown: 指 = to point; 责 = 贝 (shell/money) + 朿, meaning to blame/demand

Meaning

To criticize; to blame; to censure. To express strong disapproval of someone's actions.

Stronger than 批评, implies assigning blame. Common phrases: 互相指责 (blame each other), 受到指责 (be criticized), 无端指责 (groundless accusations). Often used in formal or news contexts.

Examples

1. 他因为迟到被领导严厉指责。 He was severely criticized by the leader for being late.
2. 双方互相指责，谈判陷入僵局。 Both sides blamed each other, and the negotiations reached a deadlock.
3. 她不接受任何无根据的指责。 She doesn't accept any unfounded accusations.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, conflict, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 他受到了媒体的指责。(He was criticized by the media.)
• 这样指责别人是不对的。(It's wrong to criticize others like this.)

Don't Say

• 指责他的好意 (指责 is for negative actions — for good intentions, use 误解 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 指 (to point) and 责 (to blame, responsibility). To point and blame.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal