責任

• Reading: せきにん
• Romaji: sekinin
• Kanji breakdown: 責 (seki) — blame, condemn, censure; 任 (nin) — duty, responsibility, entrust
• Pronunciation: /se.ki.niɴ/

Meaning

Responsibility; duty. An obligation to carry out or account for something.

A noun frequently used in workplace and social contexts. 責任を取る (sekinin wo toru) means to take responsibility, a significant cultural concept in Japan where accountability is highly valued. 責任者 (sekininsha) means the person in charge.

Examples

1. このプロジェクトの責任は私にあります。 The responsibility for this project lies with me.
2. 失敗したら、責任を取らなければならない。 If you fail, you have to take responsibility.
3. 責任のある仕事がしたいです。 I want a job with responsibility.

Usage Guide

Context: workplace, ethics, leadership

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 責 (seki, blame/condemn) and 任 (nin, duty/entrust). Literally means the duty one is charged with and held accountable for.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal