What is the meaning and reading of the kanji "責"?

The kanji "責" belongs to JLPT N2 and means "Blame, Responsibility, Censure". Its Onyomi is "セキ (seki)" and Kunyomi is "せめる (semeru)".

JLPT N2

責

Blame, Responsibility, Censure

Q: Is there a memory mnemonic for "責"?

Yes! Radical breakdown: "貝 (shell, money) + 辛 (spicy, painful)". Mnemonic Story: "Imagine a greedy shell (貝) that's causing so much pain (辛) to everyone around it. It's constantly demanding money, and people are starting to blame (責) it for all their financial woes. The shell just sits there, radiating painful culpability."

Onyomi

セキ (seki)

Kunyomi

せめる (semeru)

🧠 Memory Mnemonic

🔍 Radical Breakdown

貝 (shell, money) + 辛 (spicy, painful)

📖 Mnemonic Story

Imagine a greedy shell (貝) that's causing so much pain (辛) to everyone around it. It's constantly demanding money, and people are starting to blame (責) it for all their financial woes. The shell just sits there, radiating painful culpability.

💡 Quick Hint: Painful shell blame

Essential N2 Vocabulary

責任

せきにん

Responsibility

責める

せめる

To blame, To accuse

責務

せきむ

Duty, Obligation

Kanji Practice Quiz

Verify your memory for "責"

この仕事は私の＿＿＿＿＿だ。

🎉 正解 / Correct!

解説: 責任は「せきにん」と読みます。
English: Responsibility is read as 'sekinin'.

🦅

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