责

責

zé

贝 + 龶

Definitions

zé (noun) duty; responsibility

zé (verb) to blame; to reproach

Etymology

Simplified form of 責. Phonosemantic compound. 貝 represents the meaning and 朿 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "taxation". The meaning later shifted to "responsibility".

About

责, simplified from 責, is a phonosemantic compound in which 貝 (cowrie shell) contributes the semantic field of wealth and finance, while 朿 indicates the pronunciation. Its earliest recorded meaning was "taxation", the demanding of money owed. With time, this narrowed concept of financial obligation blossomed into the wide-ranging notion of responsibility, encompassing accountability, personal duty, and the censure that follows from failing to meet them.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我负责这项任务。

Wǒ fùzé zhè xiàng rènwu.

I am responsible for this task.

每个人都有责任保护环境。

Měi gè rén dōu yǒu zérèn bǎohù huánjìng.

Everyone has the responsibility to protect the environment.

你不应该责备他人。

Nǐ bù yīnggāi zébèi tārén.

You shouldn't blame others.

公司责令他尽快提交报告。

Gōngsī zélìng tā jǐnkuài tíjiāo bàogào.

The company ordered him to submit the report as soon as possible.

他的行为将受到法律的责罚。

Tā de xíngwéi jiāng shòudào fǎlǜ de zéfá.

His actions will be punished by law.

此事责无旁贷，我们必须完成。

Cǐ shì zé wú páng dài, wǒmen bìxū wánchéng.

We are duty-bound to complete this matter; we must finish it.

作为监护人，他对孩子的安全负有不可推卸的责任。

Zuòwéi jiānhùrén, tā duì háizi de ānquán fù yǒu bùkě tuīxiè de zérèn.

As a guardian, he bears an inescapable responsibility for the child's safety.

面对质询，他详细阐述了各方的权责划分。

Miànduì zhìxún, tā xiángxì chǎnshùle gè fāng de quán zé huàfēn.

Facing the inquiry, he elaborated in detail on the division of rights and responsibilities among the parties.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 贝

Component: 龶

Example Words