King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “responsibility”

Romaji: sekinin
duty; responsibility (incl. supervision of staff)

In Japanese, responsibility is , read (sekinin).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. n duty; responsibility (incl. supervision of staff)
  2. n liability; onus

Kanji and stroke order

blame, condemn, censure
on: セキ
kun: せ.める
11 strokes · JLPT 2
responsibility, duty, term
on: ニン
kun: まか.せる、まか.す
6 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “responsibility”

WordReadingMeaning
やく yakurole; assignment; responsibility
ふたん futanburden; load; responsibility
ぎむ gimuduty; obligation; responsibility
せめ semeresponsibility; liability; blame
つとめ tsutomeservice; duty; business

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
せめ semeresponsibility; liability; blame
せきむ sekimuduty; obligation
せめる semeruto condemn; to blame; to criticize
めんせき mensekiexemption from responsibility
じせき jisekiself-condemnation; self-reproach; self-accusation
にんむ ninmuduty; function; office
しゅうにん shuuninassumption (of office); taking up (a post); inauguration
じにん jininresignation (from a position)

See also: Chinese symbol for “responsibility”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

Last posts

  1. Best Bokken Bags and Cases for Martial Arts Training
  2. Choosing the Best Wooden Tanto for Realistic Knife Drills
  3. What Is a Suburito and Is It Worth Buying for Strength
  4. Buying a Wooden Wakizashi for Two-Sword Practice
  5. Buying Chanbara Swords for Sparring and Competition
  6. What Size Shinai Does a Child Need for Kendo Practice
  7. Best Polypropylene Bokken for Hard Contact Training
  8. Best Foam Swords for Kids Martial Arts and Safe Practice
  9. Are Cold Steel Training Swords Good for Practice
  10. Shinai Maintenance and Essential Tools for Bamboo Care