responsibility

Original meaning: 

taxation

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "taxation". The meaning later shifted to "responsibility".

Components
朿 sound component

  Sound component

  

thorn, stab

貝 meaning component

  Meaning component

bèi

  

sea shell

In ancient China shells were used as currency.

Evolution

責 Oracle script (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)
責 Bronze script Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze script

Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
責 Seal script Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)
責 Clerical script Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
責 Regular script Modern

Regular script

Modern
Definitions

() 

one's responsibility, duty; duty; responsibility; to reproach; to blame

Most common words with 責
Freq.
Word
Meaning

负责

to be in charge of

责任

blame

负责人

person in charge

职责

duty

指责

to criticize

Component uses

Meaning component in 1 character (0 verified)

Sound component in 6 characters (3 verified)