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責任を負う

B1 phrase 9 min read

責任を負う

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 責任を負う in 30 Seconds

Explanation 責任を負う in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '責任を負う' (sekinin o ou) in complex ways. Focus on the word 'sekinin' (responsibility) as a noun. Think of it as 'my job' or 'my duty.' At this stage, you might say 'Kore wa watashi no sekinin desu' (This is my responsibility). The verb 'ou' is too advanced for A1, but you can understand that it means 'to do' or 'to carry' a very important job. Imagine you are a student and your 'sekinin' is to do your homework. Even though this phrase is formal, knowing that 'sekinin' is a big word for 'duty' will help you later. Just remember that it is a serious word used for grown-up things like work and rules. You usually won't use it with friends when playing games.

At the A2 level, you can start to recognize '責任を負う' in simple sentences. You might see it in signs or basic news stories. It means 'to take on a duty.' For example, 'Leader wa sekinin o oimasu' (The leader takes responsibility). You are learning that Japanese has different ways to say 'to do.' While 'shimasu' is for general actions, 'oimasu' is for heavy things like responsibilities or carrying a backpack. You should try to remember that 'sekinin' is the thing you carry, and 'ou' is the act of carrying it. If you are a class representative, you have 'sekinin.' It's a step up from just having a task; it means people are counting on you.

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use '責任を負う' in business or formal situations. This is the level where you distinguish between 'doing a task' (tantou suru) and 'bearing responsibility' (sekinin o ou). You should use this phrase when talking about your role in a project or when discussing who is at fault for a mistake. For example, 'Project no shippai no sekinin o oimasu' (I will bear responsibility for the project's failure). You should also understand the physical metaphor of 'ou' (to carry on the back), which helps you remember that this is a 'heavy' verb. It's common in work environments when defining roles. You are now expected to understand that this phrase implies accountability—if something goes wrong, you are the one who will explain why.

At the B2 level, you should master the nuances of '責任を負う' versus '責任を取る' (sekinin o toru). You understand that 'ou' is the state of having the burden, while 'toru' is the action of accepting the consequences (like resigning). You can use this phrase in debates about social issues or legal matters. You might say, 'Seifu wa kono mondai ni dougi-teki sekinin o ou beki da' (The government should bear moral responsibility for this issue). You are comfortable with various forms like the passive 'sekinin o owasareru' (to be made to take the blame). You also start to use specific types of responsibility, such as 'baishou sekinin' (liability) or 'kanri sekinin' (management responsibility).

At the C1 level, you use '責任を負う' with precision in professional, academic, or legal contexts. You understand the subtle differences between 'ou' and 'ninau' (to shoulder/proactively take on). You can discuss the philosophy of responsibility in Japanese society, including the concept of collective versus individual responsibility. You might use the phrase in complex structures like 'Sekinin o ou bekari-shi mono' (The person who should have borne responsibility). You are also aware of how this phrase is used in corporate governance and international relations to define accountability. Your usage reflects a deep understanding of the weight and the social expectations that come with 'bearing' a duty in a Japanese context.

At the C2 level, '責任を負う' is a tool for nuanced expression in high-level discourse. You can use it to analyze historical events, legal precedents, or philosophical texts. You understand the etymological roots of 'ou' and how it connects to other concepts of 'bearing' (like bearing fruit or bearing a wound). You can navigate the most formal 'keigo' variations of the phrase and use it in high-stakes negotiations where every word matters for defining liability. You might critique how the phrase is used in political rhetoric to deflect or accept blame. For you, the phrase is not just a vocabulary item but a window into the Japanese psyche regarding duty, honor, and the social contract.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

責任を負う in 30 Seconds

Formal phrase for bearing responsibility or liability.
Uses the verb 'ou' (to carry on one's back) for weight.
Essential for business, legal, and formal social contexts.
Differs from 'taking action' (sekinin o toru) by focusing on the 'burden'.

The Japanese phrase 責任を負う (sekinin o ou) is a cornerstone of Japanese social and professional ethics, representing the act of bearing, carrying, or assuming responsibility. At its linguistic core, the word sekinin (責任) means responsibility or duty, while the verb ou (負う) literally means to carry something on one's back. This physical metaphor is vital for understanding the weight the phrase carries; it is not merely about 'having' a task, but about the enduring burden of accountability that one carries through a process. In Japanese culture, where collective harmony and individual accountability are deeply intertwined, knowing when and how to 'bear' responsibility is a mark of maturity and professional competence. This phrase is typically employed in formal contexts, such as business negotiations, legal discussions, and social commentaries, to delineate who is ultimately liable for an outcome.

Literal Imagery: The verb 負う (ou) evokes the image of a person carrying a heavy load on their shoulders. This implies that responsibility is not a light matter but a substantial weight that requires strength and commitment to sustain over time.

リーダーは常にチームの結果に対して責任を負うべきだ。(A leader should always bear responsibility for the team's results.)

When you use this phrase, you are signaling a high level of commitment. It differs significantly from simply 'doing a job.' While 'tantou suru' (to be in charge) refers to the functional aspect of a task, 'sekinin o ou' refers to the moral and legal consequences of that task. If a project fails, the person who 'bears the responsibility' is the one who must answer for the failure, provide explanations, and potentially face the repercussions. This nuance is why the phrase is so common in the news and in corporate apologies (owabi). It defines the boundaries of accountability in a society that values clear social roles.

Social Context: In Japan, the concept of 'sekinin' is often linked to 'giri' (social obligation). Bearing responsibility is seen as a way to maintain the 'wa' (harmony) of the group by ensuring that every member knows their part and the consequences of their actions.

彼はその事故の法的責任を負うことになった。(He ended up bearing legal responsibility for the accident.)

Furthermore, the phrase is often used with modifiers like 'zen-sekinin' (full responsibility) or 'dougi-teki sekinin' (moral responsibility). This allows speakers to specify the exact nature of the burden they are assuming. For learners, mastering this phrase is essential for navigating B1-level conversations about work, ethics, and social issues. It moves your Japanese beyond simple descriptions and into the realm of abstract concepts and social dynamics. Understanding that 'ou' is used for burdens (like debts, wounds, or responsibilities) helps reinforce the gravity of the term.

Using 責任を負う correctly requires an understanding of Japanese sentence structure and the particles that connect the responsibility to the person. The most common pattern is [Person] + は + [Matter/Event] + の + 責任を負う. This clearly identifies who is carrying the burden and what that burden is. Because 'ou' is a transitive verb, the object (responsibility) is marked with the particle 'o' (を). However, the context of the responsibility is usually defined by the particle 'no' (の) or 'ni tsuite no' (についての).

Standard Pattern: [Subject] wa [Object] no sekinin o ou. (The subject bears responsibility for the object.)

親は子供の行動に対して責任を負うべきです。(Parents should bear responsibility for their children's actions.)

In more formal or legalistic settings, you might see the passive form sekinin o owasareru (to be made to bear responsibility). This is used when someone is forced to take the blame or when the responsibility is assigned by an external authority, such as a court or a superior. Conversely, the potential form sekinin o oeru (can bear responsibility) is used to discuss whether someone has the capacity or the authority to handle a certain level of accountability. For instance, a junior employee might not be able to bear the responsibility of a million-dollar contract.

Another important aspect is the type of responsibility. You can bear 'omoi sekinin' (heavy responsibility) or 'zen-sekinin' (total responsibility). These adjectives help quantify the pressure. In news reports, you will often hear phrases like 'dougi-teki sekinin o ou' (to bear moral responsibility), which is used when someone hasn't necessarily broken a law but is still blamed by the public for a negative outcome. This is a common occurrence in Japanese politics and celebrity scandals.

Grammar Note: The verb 負う (ou) is a Godan verb. Conjugations include: ou (dictionary), owanai (negative), oimasu (polite), ota (past), oeba (conditional).

社長は今回の不祥事の責任を負い、辞任しました。(The president took responsibility for the recent scandal and resigned.)

The phrase 責任を負う is ubiquitous in Japanese media, literature, and corporate environments. If you watch the Japanese news (NHKK News, for example), you will hear this phrase daily in reports about corporate malpractice, political resignations, or legal disputes. Journalists use it to specify who is being held accountable for a particular crisis. It provides a formal, objective way to describe the allocation of blame or duty without necessarily using emotionally charged language.

Business Meetings: During project planning, a manager might ask, 'Who will bear the responsibility for this phase?' (Kono feizu no sekinin wa dare ga oimasu ka?). This isn't just asking who is doing the work; it's asking who is the 'final boss' for that task.

契約書には、損害が発生した場合にどちらが責任を負うかが明記されている。(The contract clearly states which party bears responsibility if damages occur.)

In Japanese drama and anime, this phrase is often used in climactic moments. A character might say, 'I will bear all the responsibility' (Watashi ga subete no sekinin o ou) to protect their subordinates or friends. This highlights the noble aspect of the phrase—self-sacrifice for the sake of the group. It also appears in educational settings, where teachers encourage students to 'bear responsibility for their own choices' (jibun no sentaku ni sekinin o ou), fostering a sense of independent accountability (jirikousei).

Socially, the phrase is part of the 'apology culture' in Japan. When a company product is defective, the spokesperson doesn't just say 'we are sorry'; they state that the company will 'bear the responsibility' to fix it and ensure it never happens again. This commitment to the future is a key component of 'ou'. It's not just looking back at a mistake; it's looking forward at the burden of making things right. This makes it a very powerful and respected phrase in any formal interaction.

News Keywords: Look out for related terms like 'Sekinin-sha' (the person in charge/responsible party) and 'Sekinin-tenka' (passing the buck/shifting responsibility).

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is confusing 責任を負う (sekinin o ou) with 責任を取る (sekinin o toru). While both translate as 'to take responsibility' in English, their usage in Japanese is distinct. 'Sekinin o ou' refers to the *status* or *obligation* of being responsible. It is the burden you carry. 'Sekinin o toru' refers to the *action* taken to resolve a problem or accept the consequences of a failure, often involving an apology or a resignation. If you say you 'ou' responsibility after a mistake, you are saying you are the one accountable. If you 'toru' responsibility, you are saying you will quit or pay for the mistake.

Comparison: Ou = Bearing the load (ongoing/state). Toru = Taking the hit (action/consequence).

Incorrect: 彼は失敗の責任を負って会社を辞めた。(He quit the company bearing the responsibility.) -> Use 'toru' here because quitting is the specific action of taking the blame.

Another mistake is using the wrong verb for responsibility. Beginners often try to say 'sekinin o motsu' (to have responsibility). While understandable, it sounds childish and lacks the weight of 'ou'. In professional Japanese, you almost never 'have' responsibility; you either 'bear' it (ou) or 'are in charge of' it (tantou suru). Using 'motsu' makes the responsibility sound like a physical object you are holding, rather than a moral duty you are carrying.

Finally, learners sometimes forget the particle 'o' (を). Because 'sekinin' and 'ou' are so closely linked, people might try to combine them into a single word. However, 'sekinin o ou' is a verb phrase. If you want to use it as a noun, you should use 'sekinin o ou koto' or 'sekinin-kan' (sense of responsibility). Also, ensure you don't confuse 'ou' (負う) with 'ou' (追う - to chase). They sound the same but have completely different kanji and meanings. Chasing responsibility would mean you are looking for it, which is quite different from bearing it!

To truly master the concept of responsibility in Japanese, you should be familiar with the synonyms and alternatives to 責任を負う. Each has a slightly different shade of meaning and is used in different registers of speech. Understanding these will help you choose the right word for the right situation, whether you are at a casual lunch or a high-stakes business meeting.

責任を担う (Sekinin o ninau): Very similar to 'ou', but 'ninau' specifically means to shoulder a role or a mission. It often has a more positive, proactive nuance, like 'shouldering the future of the company'.
引き受ける (Hikiukeru): To take on or accept a task. This is more common when someone asks you to do something and you agree to be responsible for it. It's less 'heavy' than 'ou'.
担当する (Tantou suru): To be in charge of. This is the standard word for your daily job duties. It lacks the moral/legal weight of 'sekinin o ou'.

次世代のリーダーとして、彼は大きな責任を担っている。(As a next-generation leader, he is shouldering a big responsibility.)

If you want to talk about 'taking the blame', use seme o ou (to bear the blame) or tsumi o ou (to bear the sin/crime). These are much more negative and usually relate to moral failings. In a legal context, baishou sekinin o ou (to bear liability for damages) is the technical term used in contracts and courtrooms. On the other hand, if you want to express a 'sense of responsibility', use the noun sekinin-kan. Someone with a 'strong sense of responsibility' is described as having a tsuyoi sekinin-kan.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji for 'ou' (負) also means 'to lose' (makeru). This reflects an ancient idea that bearing a burden or a debt is a form of 'loss' or disadvantage compared to being free of it.

Pronunciation Guide

UK se-ki-nin o o-u

US se-ki-nin o o-u

Japanese is mora-timed, so each syllable (se-ki-ni-n-o-o-u) gets roughly equal time.

Rhymes With

Koun (Good fortune) Moun (Network - rare) Tou (Tower) Kou (Filial piety) Sou (Monk) Dou (Hall) Jou (Article/Condition) Hou (Law)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ou' as a single English 'oh' sound. It should be two distinct vowels: o-u.
Confusing 'ou' (to bear) with 'ou' (to chase), which sounds identical but has a different pitch accent in some dialects.
Misprounouncing 'nin' as 'neen'. It should be a short 'i' like in 'pin'.
Over-stressing the particle 'o'. It should be light and connected to 'sekinin'.
Failing to pronounce the final 'n' in 'sekinin' clearly as a nasal mora.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji 責任 and 負う are standard B1 level, but appearing in formal texts increases difficulty.

Writing 4/5

Writing the kanji 責 and 負 requires practice. Using the phrase correctly in context is intermediate-advanced.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is simple, but choosing between 'ou' and 'toru' requires nuance.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and business, so it's a key listening target for B1+.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

責任 (Sekinin) 負ける (Makeru) 仕事 (Shigoto) 義務 (Gimu) 取る (Toru)

Learn Next

責任を果たす (Sekinin o hatasu) 責任を転嫁する (Sekinin o tenka suru) 賠償 (Baishou) 免責 (Menseki) 不祥事 (Fushouji)

Advanced

帰責事由 (Kiseki-jiyu) 過失責任 (Kashitsu-sekinin) 無過失責任 (Mukashitsu-sekinin) 善管注意義務 (Zenkan-chuui-gimu)

Grammar to Know

Particle 'o' (を) with Transitive Verbs

責任を負う (Bear responsibility).

Particle 'ni taishite' (に対して) for target of responsibility

結果に対して責任を負う。

Passive Form (〜れる/られる) for assigned blame

責任を負わされる。

Auxiliary 'beki' (べき) for obligation

責任を負うべきだ。

Te-form for cause/reason

責任を負って、辞任した。

Examples by Level

これは私の責任です。

This is my responsibility.

Simple A wa B desu structure.

リーダーは責任があります。

A leader has responsibility.

Using 'arimasu' (to have) for responsibility.

仕事の責任を考えます。

I think about work responsibility.

Object marker 'o' with 'kangaemasu'.

責任は重いです。

Responsibility is heavy.

Adjective 'omoi' (heavy) used metaphorically.

自分の責任を知っています。

I know my responsibility.

Verb 'shitte imasu' (to know).

彼は責任を負います。

He takes responsibility.

Introduction of the verb 'ou'.

だれの責任ですか？

Whose responsibility is it?

Question form with 'dare' (who).

みんなで責任を持ちましょう。

Let's all have responsibility.

Volitional form 'mochimashou'.

彼はチームの責任を負っています。

He is bearing the responsibility for the team.

Te-form 'otte iru' showing an ongoing state.

失敗の責任を負うのはだれですか？

Who is the one to bear responsibility for the failure?

Noun phrase 'sekinin o ou no' (the act of bearing...).

親は子供の責任を負うべきです。

Parents should bear responsibility for their children.

Auxiliary 'beki' (should).

私は自分の仕事に責任を負います。

I bear responsibility for my own work.

Particle 'ni' indicates the area of responsibility.

彼は重い責任を負いました。

He bore a heavy responsibility.

Past tense 'oimashita'.

だれも責任を負いたくありません。

Nobody wants to bear responsibility.

Desire form 'takunai' (don't want to).

社長がすべての責任を負いました。

The president bore all the responsibility.

Modifier 'subete no' (all).

責任を負うことは大切です。

Bearing responsibility is important.

Nominalizer 'koto' makes the phrase a subject.

プロジェクトリーダーとして、結果に責任を負う覚悟です。

As the project leader, I am prepared to bear responsibility for the results.

Noun 'kakugo' (determination/readiness) following the phrase.

不祥事が発生した際、会社は法的責任を負うことになります。

When a scandal occurs, the company will end up bearing legal responsibility.

Grammar 'koto ni naru' (it has been decided/it turns out that).

彼は自分の発言に対して責任を負うべきだ。

He should bear responsibility for his own remarks.

Particle 'ni taishite' (towards/regarding).

どちらの会社が損害の責任を負うか、話し合いが必要です。

A discussion is needed to determine which company will bear responsibility for the damages.

Question word 'dochira' with embedded question 'ka'.

管理職は部下のミスに対しても責任を負わなければならない。

Managers must bear responsibility even for their subordinates' mistakes.

Must form 'nakereba naranai'.

彼は事故の責任を負わされて、会社を辞めた。

He was made to bear responsibility for the accident and quit the company.

Passive form 'owasareru' (to be made to bear).

この契約では、弊社が一切の責任を負います。

Under this contract, our company bears all responsibility.

Humble 'heisha' (our company) and 'issai' (all/entirely).

責任を負うのが怖くて、昇進を断った。

I was afraid of bearing responsibility, so I turned down the promotion.

Reason 'te' form (kowakute).

企業は環境汚染に対して道義的責任を負う社会的な義務がある。

Corporations have a social obligation to bear moral responsibility for environmental pollution.

Compound noun 'dougi-teki sekinin' (moral responsibility).

彼はその決断がもたらすリスクの責任を負う準備ができている。

He is ready to bear responsibility for the risks that the decision brings.

Relative clause 'ketsudan ga motarasu' modifying 'risuku'.

誰が責任を負うべきかという議論が、数時間も続いた。

The debate over who should bear responsibility continued for several hours.

Quotative 'to iu' defining the noun 'giron' (debate).

事故の全責任を負うことは、一人の人間には荷が重すぎる。

Bearing full responsibility for the accident is too heavy a burden for one person.

Idiom 'ni ga omosugiru' (the load is too heavy).

監督はチームの敗北の責任を負い、潔く辞任を表明した。

The coach bore responsibility for the team's defeat and gracefully announced his resignation.

Adverb 'kiyoku' (gracefully/manfully).

製造物責任法に基づき、メーカーが欠陥商品の責任を負う。

Based on the Product Liability Act, the manufacturer bears responsibility for defective products.

Grammar 'ni motozuki' (based on).

彼は嘘をついたことの責任を負わなければならない状況に追い込まれた。

He was backed into a corner where he had to bear responsibility for having lied.

Passive 'oikomareru' (to be backed into a corner).

責任を負う能力がないと判断されれば、その地位には就けない。

If one is judged to lack the ability to bear responsibility, they cannot hold that position.

Conditional 'ba' and potential negative 'tsukenai'.

政治家は、たとえ意図的でなくとも、失政の責任を負うべき不文律がある。

There is an unwritten rule that politicians should bear responsibility for misgovernment, even if it wasn't intentional.

Concessive 'tatoe ... demo' (even if).

このプロジェクトにおける法的責任を負う主体を明確にする必要がある。

It is necessary to clarify the entity that bears legal responsibility in this project.

Noun 'shutai' (entity/subject).

歴史的な過ちに対して、現代の世代がどこまで責任を負うべきかは難問だ。

How far the current generation should bear responsibility for historical mistakes is a difficult question.

Interrogative phrase 'doko made' (to what extent).

彼は自らの信念に基づき、全責任を負うことを厭わない姿勢を見せた。

Based on his convictions, he showed an attitude of not minding bearing full responsibility.

Verb 'itowanai' (to not mind/to be willing).

組織のトップは、末端の不祥事に対しても最終的な責任を負うことが求められる。

The head of an organization is required to bear final responsibility even for scandals at the lowest levels.

Passive 'motomerareru' (is required).

契約違反があった場合、損害賠償の責任を負う義務が生じる。

In the event of a breach of contract, an obligation to bear responsibility for damages arises.

Verb 'shoujiru' (to arise/occur).

彼は、他人の過失の責任を負わされるという不当な扱いを受けた。

He received unfair treatment, being made to bear responsibility for someone else's negligence.

Relative clause modifying 'fudou na atsukai'.

自由には常に責任を負うという対価が伴うものである。

Freedom is always accompanied by the price of bearing responsibility.

Verb 'tomonau' (to accompany).

国家の主権者は、国民の安寧に対して究極の責任を負う立場にある。

The sovereign of a nation is in a position to bear ultimate responsibility for the well-being of the people.

Noun 'annei' (well-being/peace).

自己決定権の行使は、その帰結に対する責任を負うことを前提としている。

The exercise of the right to self-determination presupposes bearing responsibility for its consequences.

Noun 'kiketsu' (consequence/outcome).

彼は、組織の存亡に関わる重大な責任を負う重圧に耐え抜いた。

He endured the heavy pressure of bearing a critical responsibility related to the very existence of the organization.

Compound verb 'taenuku' (to endure to the end).

哲学的観点から言えば、人間は自らの実存に対して全責任を負う存在である。

From a philosophical standpoint, humans are beings who bear full responsibility for their own existence.

Noun 'jitsuzon' (existence).

法的責任を負う能力、すなわち責任能力の有無が裁判の争点となった。

The capacity to bear legal responsibility—namely, the presence or absence of mental competency—became the point of contention in the trial.

Apposition 'sunawachi' (namely).

グローバル企業のCEOは、多国籍にわたる事業活動の社会的責任を負う。

The CEO of a global corporation bears social responsibility for business activities spanning multiple nations.

Phrase 'ni wataru' (spanning/extending across).

彼は、誰もが責任を負うことを回避しようとする中で、敢えてその重責を引き受けた。

Amidst everyone trying to avoid bearing responsibility, he dared to take on that heavy burden.

Adverb 'aete' (daringly/boldly).

連帯責任を負うという文化的な規範が、集団の規律を維持してきた。

The cultural norm of bearing collective responsibility has maintained the discipline of the group.

Compound noun 'rentai sekinin' (collective responsibility).

Common Collocations

法的責任を負う

道義的責任を負う

全責任を負う

重い責任を負う

賠償責任を負う

管理責任を負う

結果に対して責任を負う

責任を負わされる

自ら責任を負う

連帯責任を負う

Common Phrases

責任を負いかねる

— Cannot bear responsibility. Used as a polite refusal of liability.

当店では紛失の責任を負いかねます。

責任を負う覚悟

— Readiness to bear responsibility. Implies mental preparation.

責任を負う覚悟はできています。

責任を負う立場

— A position where one must bear responsibility.

私は責任を負う立場にあります。

責任を負うべき人

— The person who should be held accountable.

責任を負うべき人は誰ですか？

責任を負う義務

— The obligation to bear responsibility.

彼には責任を負う義務がある。

責任を負う範囲

— The scope of responsibility.

責任を負う範囲を明確にする。

責任を負う能力

— The capacity or competency to be responsible.

彼には責任を負う能力が欠けている。

責任を負う重圧

— The pressure of bearing responsibility.

責任を負う重圧で眠れない。

責任を負う用意がある

— To be prepared to bear responsibility.

いつでも責任を負う用意がある。

責任を負う気がない

— To have no intention of bearing responsibility.

彼は全く責任を負う気がない。

Often Confused With

責任を負う vs 責任を取る (Sekinin o toru)

Toru is for taking action/blame after a result; Ou is for the ongoing duty/burden.

責任を負う vs 責任を担う (Sekinin o ninau)

Ninau is more proactive and positive, often used for roles or missions.

責任を負う vs 責任を負わす (Sekinin o owasu)

Owasu is the causative form: to *make* someone else bear the responsibility.

Idioms & Expressions

"責任を肩代わりする"

— To take over someone else's responsibility or debt.

兄が弟の責任を肩代わりした。

Neutral

"責任を棚上げにする"

— To put responsibility on the shelf (ignore or postpone it).

彼は自分の責任を棚上げにしている。

Informal

"責任をなすりつける"

— To pin the blame/responsibility on someone else (maliciously).

彼はミスを他部手になすりつけた。

Informal

"責任の重さを痛感する"

— To keenly feel the weight of one's responsibility.

失敗して責任の重さを痛感した。

Formal

"責任を果たす"

— To fulfill one's duty or responsibility completely.

最後まで責任を果たしたい。

Neutral

"責任がのしかかる"

— Responsibility weighs heavily on someone (like a physical weight).

彼に全責任がのしかかってきた。

Literary

"責任を取らされる"

— To be forced to take responsibility (usually through punishment).

彼は不祥事で責任を取らされた。

Neutral

"責任を回避する"

— To avoid or dodge responsibility.

責任を回避するような発言は控えてください。

Formal

"責任を丸投げする"

— To dump the entire responsibility onto someone else.

上司に責任を丸投げされた。

Informal

"責任を全うする"

— To carry out one's responsibility to the very end.

与えられた責任を全うする。

Formal

Easily Confused

責任を負う vs 追う (Ou)

Homophone (sounds the same).

追う (ou) means to chase or follow; 負う (ou) means to bear or carry.

犯人を追う (Chase the criminal) vs 責任を負う (Bear responsibility).

責任を負う vs 担う (Ninau)

Similar meaning (to shoulder).

Ninau is more about future roles/proactive duties; Ou is more about accountability and burdens.

大役を担う (Shoulder a great role).

責任を負う vs 引き受ける (Hikiukeru)

Both involve taking on something.

Hikiukeru is the act of accepting a request; Ou is the state of being liable for it.

仕事を引き受ける (Accept the job).

責任を負う vs 被る (Kaburu)

Both can mean taking blame.

Kaburu means to 'wear' or 'take upon oneself' (like a hat or blame), often implying the blame was thrown at you.

罪を被る (Take the fall for a crime).

責任を負う vs 担当する (Tantou suru)

Both relate to job duties.

Tantou is functional (I do this task); Ou is ethical/legal (I am accountable for this task).

受付を担当する (Be in charge of the reception).

Sentence Patterns

[Person] は [Thing] の責任を負います。

私はこの仕事の責任を負います。

[Person] は [Event] に対して責任を負うべきだ。

彼はその事故に対して責任を負うべきだ。

責任を負うのが [Adjective] です。

責任を負うのが怖いです。

[Matter] の責任を負わされる。

彼は失敗の責任を負わされた。

責任を負う [Noun] 。

責任を負う立場にある人。

たとえ [Condition] としても、責任を負う必要がある。

たとえわざとでなくても、責任を負う必要がある。

責任を負うことを厭わない。

彼は全責任を負うことを厭わない。

責任を負う能力、すなわち責任能力。

責任を負う能力、すなわち責任能力が問われている。

Word Family

Nouns

責任 (Sekinin) - Responsibility

責任感 (Sekinin-kan) - Sense of responsibility

責任者 (Sekinin-sha) - Person in charge

無責任 (Musekinin) - Irresponsibility

Verbs

負う (Ou) - To bear/carry

負わす (Owasu) - To make someone bear

負い目 (Oime) - Feeling of indebtedness/guilt

Adjectives

無責任な (Musekinin na) - Irresponsible

義務 (Gimu) - Duty

負担 (Futan) - Burden

役割 (Yakuwari) - Role

信頼 (Shinrai) - Trust

誠実 (Seijitsu) - Sincerity

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in professional and media contexts; moderate in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'sekinin o motsu' in business. → 責任を負う (Sekinin o ou)
'Motsu' sounds like you are just holding responsibility like an object. 'Ou' shows you are bearing it as a duty.
Using 'ou' for an action like resigning. → 責任を取る (Sekinin o toru)
'Ou' is the state of being responsible. 'Toru' is the specific action taken to address a failure.
Confusing 'ou' (負う) with 'ou' (追う). → 責任を負う
'追う' means to chase. You bear responsibility, you don't chase it.
Forgetting the particle 'o' (を). → 責任を負う
It's a transitive verb phrase. You need the object marker 'o'.
Using 'ou' for small, casual favors. → 引き受ける (Hikiukeru)
'Ou' is too heavy for casual things. Use 'hikiukeru' for taking on a small task.

Tips

Context Matters

Always use 'sekinin o ou' when you want to sound professional and serious about your obligations. It shows you understand the weight of your role.

Particle Choice

Use 'ni taishite' for the target of responsibility. 'Kekka ni taishite sekinin o ou' (Bear responsibility for the results).

The Burden Concept

Remember the image of carrying something on your back. This helps you understand why 'ou' is used for responsibilities, debts, and wounds.

Related Words

Learn 'sekinin-sha' (person in charge) alongside this phrase; they are often used together in business settings.

Kanji Practice

The kanji for 'ou' (負) is also found in 'makeru' (to lose). Think of responsibility as a heavy weight that 'defeats' your lightness.

Tone

Lower your pitch slightly and speak clearly when using this phrase to convey the appropriate level of seriousness.

News Buzzword

This is a frequent 'buzzword' in Japanese politics. Listen for it during press conferences when politicians are questioned.

Secretary Ninja

Use the 'Secretary-Nin' (Sekinin) carrying (Ou) files mnemonic to never forget the phrase.

Polite Refusal

Memorize 'Sekinin o oikaneru' for situations where you need to legally or formally deny liability.

Ou vs Toru

If you are 'carrying' the load, use 'ou'. If you are 'taking the hit', use 'toru'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sekinin' as 'Secretary-Nin' (a ninja secretary). The ninja secretary has a heavy 'Responsibility' to 'Ou' (Carry) the secret files on their back.

Visual Association

Imagine a business person in a suit, but instead of a briefcase, they are carrying a massive boulder labeled 'DUTY' on their back (ou).

Word Web

Sekinin (Core) Ou (Action) Gimu (Duty) Futan (Burden) Baishou (Liability) Leader (Subject) Work (Context) Mistake (Trigger)

Challenge

Try to identify one thing you 'sekinin o ou' (bear responsibility for) in your life today and say it out loud in Japanese: '[Thing] no sekinin o oimasu.'

Word Origin

The term 'Sekinin' (責任) consists of 'Seki' (責 - to blame/demand) and 'Nin' (任 - duty/office). It entered Japanese from Classical Chinese. 'Ou' (負う) is a native Japanese (yamato-kotoba) verb.

Original meaning: Originally, 'seki' meant to demand payment or hold someone to account, while 'nin' referred to a physical load or a government post.

Sino-Japanese (Kanji) + Japonic (Verb).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this to blame others. Saying 'Anata ga sekinin o ou beki da' (You should bear responsibility) is a very strong, confrontational statement in Japanese.

In English, we often 'take' or 'have' responsibility. Japanese 'bearing' (ou) emphasizes the ongoing burden more than the English equivalents.

The 'Product Liability Law' (PL-hou) in Japan is a major legal area where 'sekinin o ou' is central. The movie 'Ikiru' by Akira Kurosawa explores the weight of responsibility a man feels at the end of his life. Historical 'Seppuku' was the ultimate, extreme form of 'sekinin o toru' (taking responsibility).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business

プロジェクトの責任を負う
管理責任を負う
損害の責任を負う
全責任を引き受ける

Legal

法的責任を負う
賠償責任を負う
刑事責任を問われる
免責事項を確認する

Ethics/Social

道義的責任を負う
社会的な責任を負う
親としての責任を負う
発言に責任を負う

Sports/Teams

キャプテンとして責任を負う
敗北の責任を負う
チームの期待を背負う
役割を果たす

Personal Growth

自分の人生に責任を負う
選択に責任を負う
責任感を持つ
自立する

Conversation Starters

"リーダーはチームの失敗に対して、どこまで責任を負うべきだと思いますか？"

"最近のニュースで、誰が責任を負うべきか話題になっていることはありますか？"

"仕事で重い責任を負った経験はありますか？"

"子供に責任を負うことを教えるには、どうすればいいでしょうか？"

"SNSでの発言に対して、ユーザーはもっと責任を負うべきだと思いますか？"

Journal Prompts

今日、自分が責任を負っていると感じた瞬間について書いてください。

もしあなたが大きな会社の社長だったら、不祥事の際にどうやって責任を負いますか？

『自由』と『責任を負うこと』の関係について、あなたの考えを述べてください。

他人の責任を負わされたことがありますか？その時どう感じましたか？

自分が将来、どのような責任を負う人間になりたいか詳しく書いてください。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It's usually too heavy for minor things. For being late, you'd just apologize. Use it for things that have real consequences, like a project's success or a legal contract.

Both mean 'to carry on the back.' '背負う' (seou) is more common for physical objects or metaphorical life burdens (like family). '負う' is more formal and used for abstract things like responsibility, injuries, or debts.

Yes, usually. It implies that the responsibility was forced upon you, often unfairly or as a form of blame (scapegoating).

You use '責任を負いかねます' (Sekinin o oikaneru). This is common on signs in parking lots or cloakrooms to say they aren't liable for lost items.

Yes, when emphasizing the person: 'Watashi ga sekinin o oimasu' (I am the one who will bear the responsibility).

It means 'at one's own risk' or 'personal responsibility.' It's often used to say that if you do something dangerous, you bear the consequences yourself.

Very often! Especially in Shonen anime when a character makes a big decision or in Seinen anime involving corporate or political intrigue.

Yes, it can mean to sustain an injury (kizu o ou) or to owe a debt (shakkin o ou). All these meanings share the 'burden' concept.

Yes, 'oimasu' is the polite form. In very formal settings, you might use 'hikiukeru' or more complex keigo like 'o-hikiuke itashimasu'.

Use 'toru' when you are talking about the *result* of a mistake, like 'I will quit to take responsibility.' Use 'ou' for the *duty* itself.