責める

• 読み: せめる
• ローマ字: semeru
• 漢字の分解: 責 (seki/se) — blame, condemn, responsibility
• 発音: /se.me.ɾɯ/

意味

To condemn; to blame; to criticise. Holding someone accountable for a fault or wrongdoing.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Used for blaming others (人を責める), self-blame (自分を責める), and criticism (失敗を責める). Distinct from 攻める (to attack, same pronunciation). Carries emotional weight — often implies moral judgement. Common patterns include 責められる (to be blamed, passive) and 自分を責めないで (don't blame yourself). The related noun 責任 (responsibility) shares the 責 kanji.

例文

1. 失敗した自分を責めてもしかたがない。
2. 彼女はミスをした部下を厳しく責めた。
3. 誰も悪くないのに互いを責めてしまった。

使い方ガイド

場面: interpersonal, self-reflection, workplace

トーン: serious

起源と歴史

The kanji 責 combines 朿 (thorn) and 貝 (shell/wealth). Originally depicted pricking with thorns to demand payment — the sting of being held accountable.

文化的背景

時代: Ancient

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal