Definition
指责 (zhǐzé) means 'to criticize, denounce, or find fault with' — it carries a strong, accusatory tone, often used when publicly calling out wrongdoing. It is harsher than 批评 (pīpíng, neutral 'criticize') and more direct than 责备 (zébèi, 'blame/reproach'), which focuses on assigning fault. Unlike 挑剔 (tiāoti, 'nitpick' over small details), 指责 targets a specific action or policy.
verb
to criticizeto denounceto find fault with
Easily confused
- 职责zhí zésound-alikeduty, responsibility
Examples
- 指责。Zhèngfǔ de xíngwéi shòudào le gè fāng de zhǐ zé.The government's actions have been criticized from all sides.
- 指责，。Tā cóng bù gōngkāi zhǐ zé biérén, zǒng shì sīxià gōutōng.He never criticizes others publicly; he always communicates privately.
- 指责。Méitǐ zhǐ zé zhè jiā gōngsī yǐnmán le zhēnxiàng.The media accused this company of concealing the truth.
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