المعنى
To give reasons for failure.
خلفية ثقافية
In Russian business culture, admitting a mistake directly is often more respected than providing a long list of 'objective reasons' (объективные причины). The concept of 'self-criticism' (самокритика) meant that 'искать оправдания' was seen as a sign of bourgeois weakness or lack of revolutionary discipline. Younger generations use the slang 'отмазки' (excuses) constantly in social media memes about procrastination. Dostoevsky's characters often spend hundreds of pages 'искать оправдания' for their moral failings, making it a central theme of Russian existentialism.
Use the Genitive
When saying 'Don't make excuses', always use 'Не ищи оправданий'. It sounds much more native.
Tone Matters
This phrase is accusatory. Use it only when you are prepared to sound firm or annoyed.
المعنى
To give reasons for failure.
Use the Genitive
When saying 'Don't make excuses', always use 'Не ищи оправданий'. It sounds much more native.
Tone Matters
This phrase is accusatory. Use it only when you are prepared to sound firm or annoyed.
The 'Slang' Switch
If you are with friends under 30, use 'отмазываться'. It makes you sound much more like a local.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'искать'.
Почему ты всегда _______ оправдания, когда я прошу тебя помочь?
The subject is 'ты', so the verb must be 'ищешь'.
Choose the most natural sounding sentence.
Which sentence is a common Russian command?
Russian uses 'искать' and the genitive plural 'оправданий' for this command.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
— Я опоздал, потому что был туман. — Хватит _______! Тумана не было.
The speaker is dismissing a false reason, which is 'искать оправдания'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
In which situation would you say 'Он ищет оправдания'?
The phrase is used for weak or false justifications for failure.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينПочему ты всегда _______ оправдания, когда я прошу тебя помочь?
The subject is 'ты', so the verb must be 'ищешь'.
Which sentence is a common Russian command?
Russian uses 'искать' and the genitive plural 'оправданий' for this command.
— Я опоздал, потому что был туман. — Хватит _______! Тумана не было.
The speaker is dismissing a false reason, which is 'искать оправдания'.
In which situation would you say 'Он ищет оправдания'?
The phrase is used for weak or false justifications for failure.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
5 أسئلةYes, in 99% of cases it implies the excuses are weak or dishonest.
Yes, usually in a self-critical way: 'Я просто ищу оправдания, мне надо начать.'
'Оправдание' sounds more serious/formal; 'отговорка' sounds like a small, silly excuse.
Искал (m), искала (f), искало (n), искали (pl).
Only if you are very close or if you are pointing out someone else's failure. Be careful!
عبارات ذات صلة
находить отговорки
synonymTo find pretexts
придумывать причины
similarTo invent reasons
нести ответственность
contrastTo bear responsibility
признать вину
contrastTo admit guilt
отмазываться
specialized formTo wiggle out of something