Translation guide
The English word 'alibi' can refer to a legal defense proving one was elsewhere during a crime, or more generally to an excuse or reason for not doing something. In Japanese, the legal sense is commonly expressed with loanwords, while the general excuse sense uses native terms.
Proving one was not at the scene of a crime because they were somewhere else.
The most common and direct equivalent, a loanword from English. Used in legal and everyday contexts.
Providing a justification or pretext to avoid an obligation or explain an absence.
言い訳 (iiwake) is a general excuse, often for a mistake or failure, and can carry a sense of making excuses. 口実 (koujitsu) is a pretext, a reason given to hide the true motive, and is more neutral in tone.
言い訳ばかりするな。
Stop making excuses.
それを口実に早退した。
I used that as an excuse to leave early.
彼には確固たるアリバイがある。
He has a solid alibi.
アリバイを証明できますか？
Can you prove your alibi?
A more formal, legal term literally meaning 'proof of absence from the scene'. Used in official contexts.
現場不在証明を提出する必要がある。
You need to submit proof of absence from the scene.
The most common word for an excuse or justification, often with a negative connotation of making excuses.
遅刻の言い訳を考える。
Think of an excuse for being late.
それはただの言い訳だ。
That's just an excuse.
A pretext or ostensible reason, often used when the real reason is different. Slightly more formal than 言い訳.
彼は病気を口実に会議を欠席した。
He used illness as a pretext to skip the meeting.
Sometimes used metaphorically for a general excuse, but this usage is less common and may sound affected.
彼は仕事をアリバイにしてパーティーを欠席した。
He used work as an alibi to skip the party.