けじめ
Meanings
1
distinction; drawing a line; taking responsibility
Refers to making a clear distinction between things, especially in moral or social contexts, and often implies taking responsibility for one's actions or acknowledging a boundary. Common in phrases like けじめをつける (to draw a clear line, to take responsibility).
It's important to draw a clear line between public and private matters.
He resigned to take responsibility for his own mistake.
Usage patterns
- けじめをつけるto draw a clear line; to take responsibility for something
He took responsibility for his mistake and drew a clear line under it.
- けじめがないto lack a sense of boundaries or distinction
He doesn't draw a clear line between work and his personal life.
- 〈事〉のけじめをつけるto draw a clear distinction between two matters
It's important to draw a clear line between public and private matters.