咎める

• Reading: とがめる
• Romaji: togameru
• Kanji breakdown: 咎 (toga) — blame, fault, offense
• Pronunciation: /to.ɡa.me.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To blame; to reproach; to censure; to find fault with someone's actions or behaviour.

A Group 2 (ichidan) transitive verb. Carries a strong sense of moral judgment or reprimand. Often used when someone is held accountable for wrongdoing or a mistake. Also appears in the passive form 咎められる.

Examples

1. 部下のミスを厳しく咎めるのは逆効果だ。 Harshly reprimanding subordinates for their mistakes is counterproductive.
2. 遅刻したことを先生に咎められた。 I was reprimanded by the teacher for being late.
3. 自分の過去の行いを咎める気持ちが消えない。 The feeling of reproaching myself for my past actions won't go away.

Usage Guide

Context: interpersonal, workplace, moral judgment

Tone: stern

Origin & History

From classical Japanese 咎む. The kanji 咎 means blame or fault, originally referring to a wound or blemish, later extended to moral failing.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal