Translation guide
How to express 'use as an excuse' in Japanese, covering common phrases for making excuses, using something as a pretext, and related expressions.
The speaker uses a reason to justify or avoid a situation, often implying the reason may not be the real one.
He used illness as an excuse to skip the meeting.
Don't use being busy as an excuse.
'口実' means 'pretext' or 'excuse'. This phrase emphasizes using something as a convenient reason, often with a nuance of it not being the true reason.
He used business trips as a pretext to have an affair.
A more neutral way to say 'use as a reason'. It doesn't necessarily imply the reason is false, but can be used in similar contexts.
I used the bad weather as a reason to cancel going out.
The speaker uses a situation or event as a cover to achieve another goal.
A common pattern meaning 'under the pretext of ~'. It is often used when the stated reason hides the real intention.
He left the house under the pretext of work.
A slightly formal or literary expression meaning 'on the pretext of ~' or 'using ~ as an excuse'. It implies using something as a convenient cover.
He enjoyed sightseeing under the pretext of a business trip.
Means 'taking advantage of ~' or 'using ~ as a good excuse'. It often carries a negative connotation of exploiting a situation.
The act of making excuses, often seen as avoiding responsibility.
The verb form meaning 'to make an excuse'. It can be used when someone is justifying their actions, often with a negative nuance.
Don't make excuses!
He is always making excuses.
A more formal word for 'justify oneself' or 'explain away'. It is often used in serious contexts like legal or official explanations.
Both mean 'excuse', but 言い訳 is a general excuse or justification, while 口実 specifically refers to a pretext used to hide the real reason. 口実 often implies deception.
I don't want to hear excuses.
That's just a pretext.
While 'use as an excuse' can be translated as 言い訳として使う, it is more natural to use the patterns 言い訳にする or 口実にする. The verb 使う is not typically used in this context.
He used his parents' absence as an excuse to play games until late at night.
He tried to justify his actions.