Korean Conversation · Level 106
15 words
Korean word
변명
Pronunciation
Romanizationpyeonmyeong
Meaning
- nounexcuse
Example
그런 변명은 통하지 않는다.keu reon pyeon myeong eun tong ha ji an neun da
Such an excuse won't work.
More examples
그는 계속 변명만 늘어놓았다.keu neun kye sok pyeon myeong man neu reo no at tta
He kept rattling off nothing but excuses.
Core concept
Words used to explain or defend a mistake while trying to reduce or avoid responsibility.
Common phrases
변명을 하다pyeon myeong eul ha da
offer excuses
변명을 늘어놓다pyeon myeong eul neu reo no ta
spout excuses
변명이 통하다pyeon myeong i tong ha da
an excuse hold up
Similar words
핑계pinggye: A usually unconvincing reason given to hide a mistake or avoid keeping a promise.
해명haemyeong: An account of facts and reasons given to clear up suspicion or a misunderstanding.
Definition in Korean
잘못이나 책임을 피하려고 말로 이유를 대거나 해명하려는 말.chal mo si na chae gi meul pi ha ryeo go mal lo i yu reul tae geo na hae myeong ha ryeo neun mal
Word origin
The word comes from a Sino-Korean compound whose roots mean to explain or defend and to make clear.
Usage tips
- For English speakers, excuse can be neutral, but 변명 (byeonmyeong, "excuse") usually suggests that the explanation is being used to avoid blame.
Other meanings
- defensenoun
- explanationnoun
- pretextnoun
Opposites
- 사과sagwaapologynoun
- 정직cheongjikintegritynoun
Related words
- 변명하다pyeonmyeonghadadefend oneselfverb
- 변명서pyeonmyeongseoexplanatory statementnoun