Japanese word

なじる

Pronunciation

Romajinajiru

Meaning

  • verbreproach

Example

彼は私の失敗をなじります。kare wa watashi no ship pai o na ji ri ma su

He reproaches me for my mistake.

Illustration for なじる (reproach)

More examples

その教師は皆の前で生徒をなじりました。so no kyō shi wa mina no mae de sei to o na ji ri ma shi ta

The teacher reproached the student in front of everyone.

Core concept

It focuses on confronting a person over a fault and making that person feel clearly blamed for it.

Common phrases

  • 人をなじるhito o na ji ru

    reproach someone

  • 失敗をなじるship pai o na ji ru

    reproach someone for a failure

Similar words

責めるsemeru: To point out that someone is at fault for a problem.
咎めるtogameru: To criticize someone for a fault or improper action.
非難するhinansuru: To express strong disapproval of a person or action.
詰るnajiru: To demand an explanation while accusing someone of a fault.

Definition in Japanese

相手の失敗や過ちを取り上げ、厳しい言葉で責める。ai te no ship pai ya ayama chi o to ri a ge kibi shi i koto ba de se me ru

Word origin

The form なじる (najiru) belongs to native Japanese, and 詰る (najiru) is a conventional meaning-based spelling rather than proof of a specific word breakdown; the original formation remains uncertain.

Usage tips

  • When なじる (najiru) occurs in dialogue, the conflict usually centers on responsibility for a specific fault, which gives the word a stronger force than a neutral complaint.

Other meanings

  • scoldverb
  • blameverb

Opposites

  • ほめるhomerupraiseverb

Word lists with this word