借口 (jiè kǒu) — (noun) excuse, pretext
Definition
借口 is an 'excuse' you GIVE or INVENT to justify or hide something — the reason you offer, not forgiveness (that's 原谅). 名义 is similar but framed more formally as an 'ostensible purpose' for an action.
noun
excusepretext
Examples
- 借口。Tā zǒng shì zhǎo jiè kǒu chí dào.He always makes excuses for being late.
- 借口，。Tā yǐ shēn tǐ bù shū fu wèi jiè kǒu, méi yǒu cān jiā jù huì.She used feeling unwell as an excuse and didn't attend the party.
- 借口。Zhè ge jiè kǒu tīng qǐ lái hěn hé lǐ.This excuse sounds very reasonable.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.