How to say "responsibility" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 役やくnounResponsibility in the sense of one's role or assignment — the duties that come with a post in a group or organization. For abstract accountability or blame, this is not the word you want.
- 責任せきにんnounThe default word for responsibility as accountability: being answerable for one's decisions, actions, or the people one oversees, including supervision of staff. This is what 'it's my responsibility' calls for.
- 負担ふたんnounResponsibility felt as a burden — a load one has to bear, often a financial or practical one. When 'responsibility' means being answerable for something, this is not the natural choice.
- 義務ぎむnounResponsibility as obligation — a duty one is bound to perform, whether by law, rules, or moral duty. The emphasis falls on the requirement itself, not on answerability for results.
- 責めせめnounResponsibility here shades into blame or liability — being the one at fault for something that went wrong. For plain accountability it is seldom the word you want; it is really 'blame'.
Choose 責任 for accountability in the everyday sense; 義務 for obligatory duties, 負担 for responsibilities felt as burdens, 役 for responsibilities attached to a role, and 「責め」 mainly for blame or liability.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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