Chinese word

借口

Pronunciation

Pinyinjiè kǒu

Meaning

  • nounexcuse

Example

别给我找借口，直接说实话。bié gěi wǒ zhǎo jiè kǒu zhí jiē shuō shí huà

Don't make excuses to me; just tell the truth.

Illustration for 借口 (excuse)

More examples

别再为小事编借口，承担你的责任。bié zài wèi xiǎo shì biān jiè kǒu chéng dān nǐ de zé rèn

Don't make up excuses for small things; take responsibility.

Core concept

A stated reason used as a cover when the real cause or responsibility is being avoided.

Common phrases

  • 找借口zhǎo jiè kǒu

    make excuses

  • 拿...当借口ná dāng jiè kǒu

    use ___ as an excuse

  • 编借口biān jiè kǒu

    make up an excuse

Similar words

理由lǐ yóu: The explanation or circumstances that show why something happened or was done.
原因yuán yīn: The source or underlying factor from which a problem, event, or change arises.

Definition in Chinese

为推卸责任或掩盖原因而拿出来解释的理由或说辞。wèi tuī xiè zé rèn huò yǎn gài yuán yīn ér ná chū lái jiě shì de lǐ yóu huò shuō cí

Word origin

借口 (jièkǒu, "excuse") joins 借 (jiè, "borrow") and 口 (kǒu, "mouth"), giving the image of a borrowed reason spoken in place of the real one.

Usage tips

  • Unlike a neutral explanation, this word usually signals that the stated reason is not the real one, so it often sounds accusing in everyday conversation.

Other meanings

  • pretextnoun
  • justificationnoun
  • evasionnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 借口儿jiè kǒurexcusenoun

Word lists with this word