Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'taking responsibility' depends on the context: whether it's about accepting blame, overseeing a task, or formally resigning. The most common expressions involve 責任 (sekinin) combined with verbs like 取る (toru), 負う (ou), or 持つ (motsu).
To acknowledge that you are responsible for a mistake, failure, or problem, often in a formal or serious context.
The most common and direct way to say 'take responsibility.' It implies accepting blame and often involves consequences like resigning or making amends.
彼はその失敗の責任を取った。
He took responsibility for the failure.
社長は不祥事の責任を取って辞任した。
The president took responsibility for the scandal and resigned.
Literally 'to bear responsibility.' Slightly more formal and often used in written or official contexts. It emphasizes the weight of the responsibility.
政府はこの事故の責任を負うべきだ。
The government should take responsibility for this accident.
Means 'to have responsibility' or 'to be in charge.' It focuses on the ongoing state of being responsible rather than the act of accepting blame.
私がこのプロジェクトの責任を持ちます。
I will take responsibility for this project.
To assume responsibility for handling a task, project, or role, often in a proactive or managerial sense.
Means 'to be in charge of' or 'to handle.' It's the standard way to say you are responsible for a specific task or area, without the heavy connotation of blame.
田中さんがこの案件を担当します。
Mr. Tanaka will take responsibility for this matter.
私は新入社員の研修を担当している。
I am responsible for training new employees.
Means 'to undertake' or 'to take on' a task or responsibility. It implies willingly accepting a duty.
Passive form of 任す (makasu), meaning 'to be entrusted with.' It emphasizes that someone has been given responsibility by a superior.
彼女は大事なプロジェクトを任された。
She was entrusted with an important project.
To take responsibility by stepping down from a position, often in Japanese corporate or political culture.
A formal compound meaning 'to resign to take responsibility.' Commonly used in news reports when executives or officials step down due to scandals or failures.
社長は引責辞任を表明した。
The president announced his resignation to take responsibility.
A more conversational way to say 'quit to take responsibility.' It combines 責任を取る with 辞める (yameru, to quit).
彼は責任を取って会社を辞めた。
He quit the company to take responsibility.
To be responsible for a person, such as a child, student, or subordinate, including their behavior or well-being.
Means 'to look after' or 'to take care of' someone. It implies responsibility for their daily needs and well-being.
姉が子供たちの面倒を見てくれた。
My older sister took care of the children.
A formal term meaning 'to bear supervisory responsibility.' Used when a manager or guardian is held accountable for the actions of those under their supervision.
上司は部下の不祥事に対して監督責任を負う。
A boss bears supervisory responsibility for their subordinates' misconduct.
責任を取る (sekinin o toru) is the most common and implies actively accepting blame or consequences. 責任を持つ (sekinin o motsu) focuses on having ongoing responsibility for a task or role. 責任を負う (sekinin o ou) is more formal and emphasizes bearing the weight of responsibility, often in official contexts.
彼はミスの責任を取った。
He took responsibility for the mistake (and faced consequences).
私はこの部署の責任を持っている。
I have responsibility for this department (I am in charge).
会社は事故の責任を負う。
The company bears responsibility for the accident (formal/legal).
English 'take responsibility' can be translated literally as 責任を取る, but in some contexts, other expressions are more natural. For example, 'take responsibility for a project' is better as 担当する or 責任を持つ, not 責任を取る, which implies blame. Also, 'take responsibility for someone' (care) is 面倒を見る, not 責任を取る.
彼はその難しい仕事を引き受けた。
He took on that difficult task.