自責

• Reading: じせき
• Romaji: jiseki
• Kanji breakdown: 自 (ji/mizuka) — self; 責 (seki/se) — blame, responsibility
• Pronunciation: /dʑise̞ki/

Meaning

Self-reproach; self-blame; remorse. The act of holding oneself responsible and condemning oneself for a mistake or wrongdoing.

A formal noun, also used in the compounds 自責の念 (jiseki no nen — feelings of self-reproach) and the する-verb 自責する. Implies an inward, often painful process of accusing oneself. More intense and literary than 後悔 (kōkai — regret). Commonly appears in contexts of moral failure, accidents caused by negligence, or deep personal guilt. Psychologists also use it clinically to describe maladaptive self-blame.

Examples

1. 事故の後、彼は強い自責の念に苛まれた。 After the accident, he was tormented by intense self-reproach.
2. 自責が強すぎると、心の健康を損なうことがある。 Excessive self-blame can be damaging to one's mental health.
3. 彼女はミスを犯したことへの自責から、なかなか立ち直れなかった。 She couldn't recover from the self-reproach she felt over her mistake.

Usage Guide

Context: psychology, ethics, literature, personal reflection

Tone: negative

Origin & History

Compound of 自 (ji — self) and 責 (seki — to blame, hold responsible). The character 責 also appears in 責任 (responsibility) and 責める (to blame), reinforcing the sense of internal accusation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal