責

zé

one's responsibility, duty; to demand or reprimand

Meaning

Core sense: Pressure or exaction; something demanded, required, or imposed.

As a noun: An imposed obligation or charge; the weight of an expectation, often carrying the connotation of a debt that must be settled (rather than a "noble calling").

As a verb:

1. Exaction: To demand the fulfillment of a promise or the payment of a debt.

2. Reprimand: To censure, scold, or call someone to account for a failure; typically used from superior to subordinate.

Grammar and usage

Functions as both a noun (obligation/charge) and a verb (to demand/reprimand).

History and forms

Fanqie reading: 側革

Tang-period reading: jrɛk

Variants: U+62C6, U+8D23 (simplified)

Translator notes

When determining the specific sense of the glyph, consider the context:

  • Financial or resource contexts: likely "demand" (for repayment).
  • Contexts involving error or failure: likely "blame" or "reprimand."
  • Administrative or official contexts: likely "duty," "official charge," or "responsibility."

Decontextualized translator aid. This page describes plausible lexical range; it does not choose what the glyph means in a particular passage.