借口

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借口 [2025/08/13 21:56] – created xiaoer借口 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== jièkǒu: 借口 - Excuse, Pretext ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** 借口, jièkǒu, Chinese for excuse, making excuses in Chinese, Chinese pretext, what does jiekou mean, HSK 4 vocabulary, difference between 理由 and 借口, Chinese culture face +
-  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **借口 (jièkǒu)**, which means "excuse" or "pretext." This guide explores its meaning, cultural significance related to "saving face," and practical usage. Understand the critical difference between a genuine reason (理由, lǐyóu) and a fabricated **借口 (jièkǒu)** to avoid common mistakes and navigate social situations in China more effectively. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** jiè kǒu +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Noun (can also be used as a verb) +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** An excuse or pretext used to justify an action, often implying the reason is not genuine. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **借口 (jièkǒu)** is the word you use for a reason that isn't the *real* reason. Think of it as the explanation you give when you're late, miss a deadline, or want to get out of doing something. It carries a strong connotation of being a fabricated or convenient justification, rather than a factual, underlying cause. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **借 (jiè):** To borrow; to make use of. +
-  * **口 (kǒu):** Mouth; opening. In this context, it represents speech or something that is said. +
-  * **How they combine:** The characters literally translate to "borrow a mouth" or "borrowed words." This paints a vivid picture: the reason isn't your own true one; you've simply "borrowed" some words to serve a purpose. It perfectly captures the idea of an excuse being a tool you use, not an inherent truth you possess. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-In Chinese culture, maintaining social harmony and protecting one's own and others' **[[面子]] (miànzi)**, or "face," is paramount. Direct confrontation, criticism, or admitting fault can cause embarrassment and disrupt group harmony. This is where **借口 (jièkǒu)** plays a crucial, albeit complex, role. +
-Compared to Western cultures where directness and "owning your mistakes" are often prized, offering a socially acceptable **借口** can be seen as a polite and skillful way to handle a delicate situation. For example, instead of bluntly saying "I don't want to come to your party," one might use the **借口** "I'm not feeling well" (我身体不舒服, wǒ shēntǐ bù shūfu). This allows the other person to "accept" the reason without feeling personally rejected, thus preserving **面子** for everyone involved. +
-While using a **借口** is a common social lubricant, being someone who *always* "looks for excuses" (找借口, zhǎo jièkǒu) is viewed very negatively. It implies a lack of responsibility, sincerity, and trustworthiness. The key is understanding when a **借口** is a necessary social courtesy versus when it's a sign of a poor character. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-**借口 (jièkǒu)** is a high-frequency word used in all aspects of life. Its connotation is almost always negative or, at best, neutral, implying a lack of genuineness. +
-  * **In Daily Conversation:** This is the most common context. People use it for being late, canceling plans, or explaining why they didn't do something. The phrase **找借口 (zhǎo jièkǒu)**, "to find/look for an excuse," is extremely common. +
-  * **In the Workplace:** An employee might give a **借口** for a missed deadline. A manager might criticize a subordinate for constantly making excuses. While used, relying on them too heavily can damage your professional reputation. +
-  * **As a Verb:** While technically a noun, it's often used verbally in the structure "借口 + [the excuse]" meaning "to use [the excuse] as a pretext." For example, "他借口开会..." (Tā jièkǒu kāihuì... - He used a meeting as an excuse...). +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 别再找**借口**了，这都是你的错。 +
-    * Pinyin: Bié zài zhǎo **jièkǒu** le, zhè dōu shì nǐ de cuò. +
-    * English: Stop looking for excuses, this is all your fault. +
-    * Analysis: This is a very common and direct phrase, **找借口 (zhǎo jièkǒu)**, used to call someone out for not taking responsibility. +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 他上班迟到的**借口**总是“路上堵车”。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā shàngbān chídào de **jièkǒu** zǒngshì “lùshang dǔchē”. +
-    * English: His excuse for being late to work is always "traffic jam on the road." +
-    * Analysis: This example shows **借口** being used to describe a recurring, and likely untrue, justification. "堵车 (dǔchē)" is a classic **借口** in China. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 他用身体不舒服当**借口**，拒绝了我的邀请。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā yòng shēntǐ bù shūfu dāng **jièkǒu**, jùjuéle wǒ de yāoqǐng. +
-    * English: He used "not feeling well" as an excuse to decline my invitation. +
-    * Analysis: The structure "用...当借口 (yòng...dāng jièkǒu)" means "to use...as an excuse." This is a perfect example of using an excuse to politely avoid a social engagement. +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 这听起来像个完美的**借口**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè tīng qǐlái xiàng ge wánměi de **jièkǒu**. +
-    * English: That sounds like a perfect excuse. +
-    * Analysis: This sentence expresses skepticism. The tone is often sarcastic, implying the speaker doesn't believe the reason given. +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 为了不完成作业，他能想出一百个**借口**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wèile bù wánchéng zuòyè, tā néng xiǎng chū yìbǎi ge **jièkǒu**. +
-    * English: In order to not finish his homework, he can come up with a hundred excuses. +
-    * Analysis: An exaggeration used to emphasize that someone is very good at making excuses and avoiding their duties. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 我想**借口**工作忙，不去参加那个无聊的派对。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng **jièkǒu** gōngzuò máng, bù qù cānjiā nàge wúliáo de pàiduì. +
-    * English: I want to use "being busy with work" as an excuse to not go to that boring party. +
-    * Analysis: Here, **借口** functions like a verb, "to make an excuse that...". This shows the speaker's internal thought process before taking action. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 失败了就是失败了，我没有任何**借口**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Shībài le jiùshì shībài le, wǒ méiyǒu rènhé **jièkǒu**. +
-    * English: Failure is failure, I have no excuses. +
-    * Analysis: This demonstrates taking full responsibility. Saying you have "没有借口 (méiyǒu jièkǒu)" is a sign of integrity and is highly respected. +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 你不能把缺乏经验当作你犯错的**借口**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng bǎ quēfá jīngyàn dàngzuò nǐ fàncuò de **jièkǒu**. +
-    * English: You can't use a lack of experience as an excuse for your mistakes. +
-    * Analysis: This is a typical sentence you might hear from a manager or a teacher, setting clear expectations for accountability. The structure is "把 A 当作 B (bǎ A dàngzuò B)", to treat A as B. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 他**借口**要打电话，然后就离开了房间。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā **jièkǒu** yào dǎ diànhuà, ránhòu jiù líkāi le fángjiān. +
-    * English: He used the excuse of needing to make a phone call, and then left the room. +
-    * Analysis: Another example of **借口** being used as a verb. It implies the phone call was just a pretext to achieve his real goal: leaving. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 这不是**借口**，是真的！我的闹钟没响。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè bùshì **jièkǒu**, shì zhēn de! Wǒ de nàozhōng méi xiǎng. +
-    * English: This isn't an excuse, it's real! My alarm clock didn't go off. +
-    * Analysis: A defensive sentence where the speaker is trying to convince someone that their reason is genuine, precisely because it sounds like a classic **借口**. +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-The most common mistake for learners is confusing **借口 (jièkǒu)** with **理由 (lǐyóu)**. +
-  *   **借口 (jièkǒu) - Excuse / Pretext:** Implies the reason is fabricated, insincere, or a convenient justification. It has a negative connotation. +
-  *   **理由 (lǐyóu) - Reason / Justification:** A neutral term for a reason. It can be true and valid. Your boss might ask, "请给我一个你迟到的理由 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yí ge nǐ chídào de lǐyóu - Please give me a reason for your tardiness)." +
-**Common Mistake Example:** +
-  *   **Incorrect:** 我迟到的**借口**是我的车坏了。 (Wǒ chídào de **jièkǒu** shì wǒ de chē huài le.) +
-    * If your car actually broke down, this sentence is wrong because you are calling your own valid reason a "fake excuse." You are basically admitting you're lying. +
-  *   **Correct:** 我迟到的**理由**是我的车坏了。 (Wǒ chídào de **lǐyóu** shì wǒ de chē huài le.) +
-    * This correctly states the factual reason for your lateness. +
-**"Excuse me" is NOT 借口:** +
-Do not use **借口** to say "excuse me." To get past someone, you say **不好意思，借过一下 (Bù hǎoyìsi, jièguò yíxià)**. To apologize for a small mistake, you say **不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi)** or **对不起 (duìbuqǐ)**. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * [[理由]] (lǐyóu) - The neutral word for "reason." The most important term to contrast with **借口**. +
-  * [[找借口]] (zhǎo jièkǒu) - A set phrase meaning "to find/look for an excuse." +
-  * [[面子]] (miànzi) - "Face"; social standing/prestige. **借口** is often used to save **面子**. +
-  * [[托辞]] (tuōcí) - A more formal, literary synonym for "excuse" or "pretext." +
-  * [[借故]] (jiègù) - A formal verb meaning "to use...as a pretext." (e.g., 他借故离开了 - Tā jiègù líkāi le - He made an excuse and left). +
-  * [[推辞]] (tuīcí) - To decline (an invitation, task, etc.), often politely, perhaps by using a **借口**. +
-  * [[敷衍]] (fūyǎn) - To be perfunctory; to go through the motions; to fob someone off, often with a weak **借口**. +
-  * [[原谅]] (yuánliàng) - To forgive. After making a mistake, seeking forgiveness is the alternative to making an excuse.+