1.
to blame; to reproach; to find fault with
To criticize someone for their wrongdoing or mistake.
良心が咎める。
My conscience bothers me.
Common idiomatic expression
彼の行動を咎めた。
I reproached him for his behavior.
2.
to question; to challenge
To question someone's actions or identity, often in a suspicious manner.
警備員に咎められた。
I was questioned by the security guard.
咎める is a literary/formal ichidan verb. The expression 良心が咎める (one's conscience bothers one) is a very common idiom.
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 良心が咎める: to feel guilty, conscience bothers one
- 〜を咎める: to blame/reproach someone for ~
RELATED WORDS:
- 咎 (とが): fault, blame, sin
- 咎め (とがめ): blame, censure