责备 zébèi to blame
to blame; to criticize; condemnation; reproach
How to remember 责备: 责 duty + 备 prepare = to blame.
Characters
How it is used
- To reproach/blame someone for a fault - 责备孩子 (zébèi háizi) to scold a child; 受到责备 (shòudào zébèi) to be reproached.
- Implies pointed criticism with disappointment, but is fairly measured/verbal.
- Contrast 责怪 (zéguài): 责备 tends to be more serious/moral scolding, 责怪 closer to 'fault someone' more casually.
Example sentences
- 为什么责备汤姆？ Wèishénme zébèi tāngmǔ?Why blame Tom?
- 汤姆应当被责备。 Tāngmǔ yīngdāng bèi zébèi.Tom deserves to be blamed.