A 'jièkǒu' is a fabricated reason used to avoid responsibility or mask true intentions.
Word in 30 Seconds
- An excuse or pretext to avoid responsibility.
- Often a fabricated or insufficient reason.
- Implies a lack of honesty or avoidance.
Overview
“借口” (jièkǒu) 是一个常用的中文词语，意为“excuse”或“pretext”。它指的是人们为了推卸责任、避免尴尬、掩饰真实目的或不愿承担某事而编造或提出的理由。这个理由往往不是事情的真实原因，而是为了让听者更容易接受或不追究而找的“台阶”。它带有一定的负面含义，暗示说话者可能不够诚实或在回避问题。
“借口”通常用作名词，可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合。常见的搭配有“找借口”、“编造借口”、“以…为借口”等。在句子中，“借口”可以作为主语、宾语或状语。它强调的是理由的虚假性或不充分性，用来解释行为背后的动机。
在日常生活中，“借口”经常出现在解释迟到、缺席、拒绝邀请、未能完成任务等情境中。例如，学生可能会以“生病”为借口请假；员工可能会以“交通堵塞”为借口迟到；朋友可能会以“有事”为借口推脱聚会。在更广泛的意义上，它也可以用于政治、商业等领域，指某些行动背后隐藏的真实目的。
与“理由” (lǐyóu) 相比，“借口”更侧重于虚假或不充分的解释，带有负面色彩。而“理由”则是一个中性词，可以指真实、充分的原因，也可以指不真实的解释，但其本身不带有负面含义。例如，“他迟到的理由很充分”（真实原因）和“他迟到的借口很蹩脚”（虚假原因）。“托词” (tuōcí) 与“借口”非常相似，也指虚假的理由，但“托词”有时更侧重于推诿和敷衍。例如，“他以身体不适为托词，拒绝了这项艰巨的任务。”
Examples
他以生病为借口，没有来参加会议。
everydayHe used illness as an excuse for not attending the meeting.
我们不能接受这种含糊其辞的借口。
formalWe cannot accept such vague pretexts.
别找借口了，赶紧把作业写完！
informalStop making excuses and finish your homework quickly!
该研究报告未能提供令人信服的解释，其提出的某些论点更像是为之前的失败寻找借口。
academicThe research report failed to provide convincing explanations, and some of its arguments seemed more like excuses for previous failures.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
别找借口了
Stop making excuses.
这只是个借口
This is just an excuse.
他总有借口
He always has an excuse.
Often Confused With
‘理由’ (reason) is a neutral term that can refer to a genuine cause or explanation. ‘借口’ (excuse/pretext) specifically implies a fabricated or insufficient reason used to avoid responsibility or hide the truth.
‘托词’ (pretext/excuse) is very similar to ‘借口’ and often used interchangeably. It also implies a false reason, sometimes with a stronger sense of evasion or putting something off.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '借口' generally carries a negative connotation, implying dishonesty or avoidance. It is frequently used in contexts where someone is trying to shirk responsibility or justify an action with a less-than-truthful explanation. While it can appear in formal settings, its core meaning relates to insincerity, so its usage should be considered carefully.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '借口' with '理由' (reason). Remember that '借口' is specifically a *false* or *inadequate* reason, often used to avoid blame. Using '借口' when a genuine '理由' exists would be inaccurate.
Tips
Be Direct, Avoid Excuses
When possible, be honest about your situation instead of making excuses. Direct communication builds trust.
Don't Overuse Excuses
Constantly making excuses can damage your reputation and make others doubt your reliability and sincerity.
Saving Face
In Chinese culture, 'saving face' (面子, miànzi) is important. Sometimes, offering a mild 'excuse' might be seen as a way to help someone else save face, though directness is often preferred in modern contexts.
Word Origin
The word '借口' literally means 'borrowed excuse'. '借' (jiè) means 'to borrow', and '口' (kǒu) means 'mouth' or 'word'. It signifies using words that are not genuinely one's own reasons.
Cultural Context
In many cultures, including Chinese culture, directly admitting fault can be difficult due to concerns about 'saving face'. Therefore, people might resort to '借口' to navigate social situations gracefully, though excessive use is frowned upon.
Memory Tip
Think of 'jièkǒu' as 'borrowed mouth' – you're borrowing words (an excuse) to say something you don't really mean.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“借口”通常指虚假、不充分或用来推卸责任的理由，带有负面含义。而“理由”是中性词，可以指真实、充分的原因，也可以指不真实的解释。
“借口”可以用在各种场合，尤其是在解释不理想的行为、推迟或拒绝某事时。它可以是日常对话，也可以是更正式的场合，但总的来说，它暗示了某种程度的不诚实。
“找借口”通常是贬义的，因为它暗示了说话者在逃避责任或不愿面对真相，并且可能在编造不实的理由。
在某些特定语境下，可以使用“托辞”或“遁词”等词语，但“借口”是最常用且通俗的表达方式。在非常正式的场合，可能更倾向于描述具体的不当行为而非使用“借口”这个词。
Test Yourself
他总是迟到，而且总有各种各样的______。
句意是指迟到者提出的理由不可信或不充分，带有负面含义，因此“借口”最合适。
下列哪个词语最接近“借口”的意思？
“托辞”和“借口”都指虚假的理由，用于推卸责任或掩饰真实目的。
请用“他”、“总是”、“为”、“迟到”、“找”、“借口”这几个词语，按照逻辑顺序组成一个通顺的句子。
这是最符合中文语法习惯和逻辑的句子结构，表示“He always finds excuses for being late”。
Score: /3
Summary
A 'jièkǒu' is a fabricated reason used to avoid responsibility or mask true intentions.
- An excuse or pretext to avoid responsibility.
- Often a fabricated or insufficient reason.
- Implies a lack of honesty or avoidance.
Be Direct, Avoid Excuses
When possible, be honest about your situation instead of making excuses. Direct communication builds trust.
Don't Overuse Excuses
Constantly making excuses can damage your reputation and make others doubt your reliability and sincerity.
Saving Face
In Chinese culture, 'saving face' (面子, miànzi) is important. Sometimes, offering a mild 'excuse' might be seen as a way to help someone else save face, though directness is often preferred in modern contexts.
Examples
4 of 4他以生病为借口，没有来参加会议。
He used illness as an excuse for not attending the meeting.
我们不能接受这种含糊其辞的借口。
We cannot accept such vague pretexts.
别找借口了，赶紧把作业写完！
Stop making excuses and finish your homework quickly!
该研究报告未能提供令人信服的解释，其提出的某些论点更像是为之前的失败寻找借口。
The research report failed to provide convincing explanations, and some of its arguments seemed more like excuses for previous failures.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
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反常
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