问责 (wènzé) literally combines 'ask' (问) and 'blame/hold responsible' (责), forming a formal verb meaning 'to hold accountable'—especially in institutional, administrative, or official contexts. It implies a structured process of investigation and assigning responsibility for failures, misconduct, or negligence, often involving authority figures or oversight bodies.

This term is commonly used in governance, corporate management, public health, education, and safety regulation. Unlike casual words like 责怪 (to blame someone emotionally), 问责 carries procedural weight—it suggests formal consequences, such as disciplinary action, demotion, or legal review. It frequently appears in news reports about corruption investigations, pandemic response failures, or workplace accidents where leadership accountability is demanded.