jièkǒu: 借口 - Excuse, Pretext

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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.

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).

• 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.