responsibility; liability; blame
Used when someone is held accountable or blamed for a failure or problem. Often appears in set phrases like 責めを負う (to take the blame).
The responsibility for the accident lies with the driver.
He was made to take the blame for the failure.
Refers to physical or mental torment, often in historical or dramatic contexts. Commonly seen in compounds like 責め苦 (torture, agony).
The prisoner was subjected to severe torture.
The interrogation was a cruel torment.
He is in a position where he cannot escape blame for this failure.
He endured every torture without ever talking.
The boss was blamed for his subordinate's mistake.