戒める

• Reading: いましめる
• Romaji: imashimeru
• Kanji breakdown: 戒 (kai/imashi) — precept, warning, discipline
• Pronunciation: /i.ma.ɕi.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To warn; to admonish; to caution. Also means to punish or restrain as a corrective measure. Used when someone in authority corrects or cautions another.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb conjugated by dropping る and adding the appropriate ending. Combines the senses of verbal warning (admonishing) and physical restraint or punishment. In modern usage it most commonly means to reprove or counsel against repeating a mistake. The object is typically a person or a behaviour pattern such as 慢心 (overconfidence) or 怠慢 (negligence).

Examples

1. 部長は遅刻を繰り返す部下を厳しく戒めた。 The department head sternly admonished the subordinate who kept showing up late.
2. 先人たちは過ちを犯さぬよう、後世に向けて言葉を残し戒めた。 Our predecessors left behind words of warning to ensure future generations would not repeat the same mistakes.
3. 慢心を戒める言葉は、どの時代にも受け継がれてきた。 Words cautioning against complacency have been passed down through every era.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, education, religion, philosophy

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Old Japanese いましむ, derived from 忌む (imu, to avoid as taboo) combined with a causative suffix. The kanji 戒 depicts two hands holding a weapon in a ready position, signifying readiness to enforce discipline.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal