In 15 Seconds
- Used to attribute a negative result to a specific cause.
- Commonly follows the pattern 'A results from B'.
- Best suited for professional, academic, or serious discussions.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you want to point a finger or lay the blame for a problem on someone or something specific. It is like saying 'this bad thing happened because of that factor.'
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a failed project in a meeting
我们不能把失败完全归咎于市场环境。
We cannot completely attribute the failure to the market environment.
Talking about a sports team's loss
教练把失利归咎于球员们的疲劳。
The coach attributed the loss to the players' fatigue.
Reflecting on a personal mistake
他将自己的迟到归咎于闹钟没响。
He blamed his lateness on the alarm clock not going off.
Cultural Background
Used in official news reports to explain economic or social trends.
Formal Only
Only use this in writing or formal meetings. Never use it with friends.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to attribute a negative result to a specific cause.
- Commonly follows the pattern 'A results from B'.
- Best suited for professional, academic, or serious discussions.
What It Means
归咎 is all about accountability, but usually for things that went wrong. It means to attribute a negative outcome to a specific cause. Think of it as 'pinning the blame' or 'assigning responsibility.' It is more sophisticated than just saying 'it's your fault.'
How To Use It
You will almost always see this used with the word 于. The structure is: [Problem] + 归咎于 + [Cause]. For example, you can say the team's loss was 归咎于 the rainy weather. It sounds polished and logical. You are connecting a result to its origin.
When To Use It
Use this when you are analyzing a situation. It is perfect for business meetings when discussing why a project failed. Use it in news reports or when writing an essay. It works well when you want to sound objective rather than just angry. It is great for deep conversations about life's challenges.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for happy things. You wouldn't 归咎 your success to hard work; that sounds like your success is a crime! For positive things, use 归功于 instead. Also, avoid it in very casual slang-heavy chats with best friends. It might make you sound like a textbook or a lawyer. Keep it for when things get a bit more serious.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, identifying the root cause of a failure is seen as a way to show wisdom. The character 咎 specifically refers to a fault or a mistake. Historically, it was used in formal records to evaluate the performance of officials. It reflects a mindset of seeking the 'why' behind every 'what.'
Common Variations
You might hear 归咎于 most often. Sometimes people say 委过于人, which means shifting the blame to others unfairly. Another variation is 归因于, which is more neutral and used in scientific contexts. Stick to 归咎于 when there is a clear sense of 'this was a mistake.'
Usage Notes
Mainly used in written Chinese or formal spoken contexts. It carries a negative connotation, so ensure the subject being discussed is a problem or failure.
Formal Only
Only use this in writing or formal meetings. Never use it with friends.
Examples
6我们不能把失败完全归咎于市场环境。
We cannot completely attribute the failure to the market environment.
A professional way to discuss external factors.
教练把失利归咎于球员们的疲劳。
The coach attributed the loss to the players' fatigue.
Used here to explain a disappointing result.
他将自己的迟到归咎于闹钟没响。
He blamed his lateness on the alarm clock not going off.
Slightly formal way to make an excuse.
你把菜做咸了，难道也要归咎于全球变暖吗？
You made the food too salty; are you going to blame that on global warming too?
Using a formal word for a trivial matter creates humor.
她把这段关系的结束归咎于沟通不足。
She attributed the end of the relationship to a lack of communication.
Expresses a logical conclusion about an emotional event.
这次错误可以归咎于系统更新。
This error can be attributed to the system update.
Clear and direct for workplace communication.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct preposition.
他把失败归咎____运气。
The verb {归咎|guījiù} must be followed by {于|yú}.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercises他把失败归咎____运气。
The verb {归咎|guījiù} must be followed by {于|yú}.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsNo, it is strictly for negative outcomes.
Related Phrases
{归因|guīyīn}
similarAttributing a cause
