Meaning and Usage
"責任" (せきにん) means "responsibility" or "duty" and is commonly used to indicate the obligation or accountability someone has for a task, action, or outcome. It can refer to moral, legal, or professional responsibility.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "責任" in work or social situations where someone is expected to take charge or be accountable. For example, a manager might say "このプロジェクトの責任は私にあります" (I am responsible for this project).
Collocations and Patterns
- 責任を持つ: to take responsibility; used when someone accepts or is assigned responsibility.
- 責任を取る: to take responsibility for consequences; often used when apologizing or accepting blame.
- 責任感: sense of responsibility; describes a person's attitude.
Register and Nuance
"責任" is a formal word and appropriate in both spoken and written Japanese, especially in business or official contexts. It is less casual than words like "役割" (role) and emphasizes accountability.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "責任" with "義務" (obligation) or "役割" (role). Remember, "責任" stresses accountability and consequences, not just assigned tasks.