How to say "blame" in Japanese

• 責めるせめるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe common verb for blaming a person: holding someone responsible for a fault or failure and criticizing them for it. This is the word you want when you blame a person for something.
  あまり自分じぶんを責せめないで。↗

  Don't be too hard on yourself.
• 非難ひなんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbBlame as a noun: criticism, censure or condemnation directed at a person's conduct, often voiced openly. It suits public or formal blame — condemnation of someone's actions or decisions.
  彼かれはその男性だんせいが盗ぬすみを働はたらいたことを非難ひなんした。↗

  He blamed the man for stealing.
• 恨むうらむJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbNot the ordinary word for blame: it means to resent someone or bear a grudge, so its 'blame' sense is blame mixed with bitterness, as when you blame a person for your misfortune.
  彼かれは彼女かのじょを恨うらんでいる。↗

  He hates her.
• 責めせめCommon
  nounA noun: blame or responsibility viewed as something a person bears or accepts. It fits talk of who the blame falls on, rather than the act of blaming another.
• 咎めるとがめるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbBlame with the tone of reproach: finding fault with a person and rebuking them for it. Choose this when the blame is a moral reproach for wrongdoing rather than simple criticism.
  先生せんせいは彼女かのじょが間違まちがったことを咎とがめた。↗

  The teacher blamed her for the mistake.

Blame directed at a person is 「責める」; blame as voiced criticism or censure is 非難; reproachful blame is 「咎める」; resentful blame is 「恨む」; and 「責め」 serves for blame as a noun.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 責めるせめるto condemn
• 非難ひなんcriticism
• 恨むうらむto bear a grudge against
• 責めせめresponsibility
• 咎めるとがめるto blame
• 問責もんせきblame
• せいconsequence
• 呵責かしゃくblame
• 咎めとがめblame
• 難癖を付けるなんくせをつけるto blame
• 難癖つけるなんくせつけるto blame
• 責め立てるせめたてるto criticize harshly
• そしりcensure
• 指弾しだんcriticism
• 帰するきするto attribute
• 帰すきすto attribute
• 悪いわるいat fault
• 難なんcriticism