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托辞 (tuō cí) — to use as a pretext; to make an excuse

Definition

A verb meaning to give a reason or excuse for not doing something — the stated reason is usually not the real one.

verb
to use as a pretextto make an excuse

Examples

  • 托辞，。
    Tā tuō cí shēn tǐ bù shū fu, méi yǒu lái kāi huì.
    He used the pretext of feeling unwell and didn't come to the meeting.
  • 托辞，。
    Bú yào zǒng shì tuō cí gōng zuò máng, yào duō péi péi jiā rén.
    Don't always make the excuse of being busy with work; spend more time with family.
  • 托辞，。
    Tā tuō cí yǒu shì, tí qián lí kāi le.
    She made an excuse about having something to do and left early.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

托tuōuse as
辞cíwords

托 (use as) works on 辞 (words).

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
手手shǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
乇
乇tuō托tuō
Same sound today

托 is built from 手 (hand) and 乇, which gives the sound tuō.

Open 托 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 辞 →
Appears in
Communication & Speech

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