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责备 (zé bèi) — to blame, to criticize, to reproach

Definition

责备 means 'to reproach or criticize someone (for a fault)'. Stronger than 指责 (which targets wrong actions), and more serious than 埋怨 (grumbling blame); use it for a direct, personal rebuke.

verb
to blameto criticizeto reproach

Examples

  • 责备，。
    Chū le wèn tí bú yào zhī huì zé bèi bié rén, yě yào fǎn xǐng zì jǐ.
    When problems arise, don't just blame others; you should also reflect on yourself.
  • 责备。
    Jīng lǐ zài huì shàng gōng kāi zé bèi le nà ge bù mén.
    The manager publicly criticized that department at the meeting.
  • 责备，。
    Miàn duì zé bèi, tā shǐ zhōng bǎo chí chén mò.
    Faced with reproach, he remained silent throughout.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

责zéblame
备bèiblame

责 means blame and 备 also means blame, so 责备 is to reproach.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 責; 责 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèicowry; money
Sound part声符shēngfú
朿
朿cì責zé
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 責 pairs 貝, cowry/money, with 朿 as the sound part; the simplified 责 is a later shorthand.

Open 责 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 備; 备 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 備 shows a person carrying a quiver, matching the meaning 'ready; prepared'; the simplified 备 is a later abbreviation.

Open 备 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 5Conflict & Agreement

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