Japanese word

口実

Pronunciation

Romajikōjitsu

Meaning

  • nounexcuse

Example

彼は仕事を口実にして、誘いを断りました。kare wa shi goto o kō jitsu ni shi te saso i o kotowa ri ma shi ta

He used work as an excuse to turn down the invitation.

Illustration for 口実 (excuse)

More examples

その説明は、責任から逃れるための口実と受け取られました。so no setsu mei wa seki nin ka ra noga re ru ta me no kō jitsu to u ke to ra re ma shi ta

That explanation was taken as a pretext for avoiding responsibility.

Core concept

It centers on presenting a convenient stated reason as the real basis for an action, often while hiding the actual motive.

Common phrases

  • 口実をつけるkō jitsu o tsu ke ru

    make an excuse

  • 口実にするkō jitsu ni su ru

    use as an excuse

  • 口実を作るkō jitsu o tsuku ru

    make an excuse

  • 口実を探すkō jitsu o saga su

    look for an excuse

Similar words

言い訳iiwake: A reason given to avoid blame or explain an action, often after a problem occurs.
名目meimoku: A stated purpose or label used to present an action in an acceptable way.
建前tatemae: A publicly stated reason or position that presents an acceptable view.

Definition in Japanese

表向きの理由として示し、本当の目的や意図を隠すための事柄。omote mu ki no ri yū to shi te shime shi hon tō no moku teki ya i to o kaku su ta me no koto gara

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 口実 (kōjitsu, "excuse") combines 口 (kō, "mouth") and 実 (jitsu, "fact"), suggesting a stated reason presented as the real one.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 口実 (kōjitsu, "excuse") often suggests that the stated reason is convenient rather than the speaker's true motive, so it can sound more suspicious than a neutral explanation.

Other meanings

  • pretextnoun

Word lists with this word