Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== zhǎo jièkǒu: 找借口 - To Find an Excuse, To Make an Excuse ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** zhao jiekou, 找借口, jiekou, 借口, find an excuse in Chinese, make an excuse in Chinese, Chinese word for excuse, zhaojiekou meaning, shirking responsibility, saving face in Chinese. * **Summary:** Learn how to say "make an excuse" in Chinese with the essential phrase **找借口 (zhǎo jièkǒu)**. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance related to "saving face," and practical usage. Discover how 找借口 differs from giving a legitimate reason (理由, lǐyóu) and master its use through numerous real-world example sentences. This is a must-know term for understanding everyday Chinese conversations about responsibility and accountability. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhǎo jièkǒu * **Part of Speech:** Verb-Object Phrase * **HSK Level:** Related to HSK 4 (as 借口 is an HSK 4 word) * **Concise Definition:** To look for, or invent, an excuse to justify a fault, failure, or inaction. * **In a Nutshell:** 找借口 is the action of "making an excuse." It carries a negative connotation, implying that the person is being dishonest, lazy, or trying to avoid responsibility. It's not just about giving a reason; it's about fabricating a reason to get out of trouble or avoid doing something. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **找 (zhǎo):** Meaning "to look for" or "to find." The character contains the hand radical (扌), suggesting the physical act of searching for something. * **借 (jiè):** Meaning "to borrow." * **口 (kǒu):** Meaning "mouth" or "opening." When combined, 找借口 (zhǎo jièkǒu) literally means "to look for a borrowed mouth." This paints a vivid picture: you don't have a good reason of your own, so you have to "borrow" some words or a story to use as an "opening" to escape a situation. It perfectly captures the sense of fabricating an excuse. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **The Connection to "Face" (面子 - miànzi):** The act of 找借口 is deeply intertwined with the cultural concept of [[面子]] (miànzi), or "face." A person might 找借口 for two main reasons related to face: 1. **To Save Their Own Face:** Admitting a mistake or failure directly can lead to a loss of face. By making an excuse, one can attempt to deflect blame and preserve their social standing and dignity. 2. **To Give Others Face:** Sometimes, you might tell a "white lie" or make an excuse to decline an invitation (e.g., "Sorry, I can't come, I have to work late") instead of saying "I don't want to go." This is a way to reject the offer while allowing the other person to save face, avoiding the embarrassment of a direct refusal. * **Comparison to Western Culture:** In Western cultures, "making an excuse" is almost universally seen as a sign of weakness, dishonesty, or a lack of accountability. While it holds the same core negative meaning in Chinese culture, the underlying motivation can sometimes be about maintaining social harmony ([[和谐]], héxié) and navigating interpersonal relationships delicately. However, in situations involving work, school, or clear responsibilities, 找借口 is viewed just as negatively as it is in the West—as a clear attempt to shirk one's duty. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Connotation:** Strongly negative. Accusing someone of 找借口 is a direct criticism of their character or work ethic. * **Formality:** Highly common in informal, spoken Chinese. It's used among friends, family, colleagues, and in any situation where someone is failing to meet an expectation. In more formal or written contexts, a phrase like [[推卸责任]] (tuīxiè zérèn) - "to shirk responsibility" - might be used instead, or in addition. You will hear this phrase constantly: * A manager telling an employee to stop making excuses for being late. * A parent scolding a child for not doing their homework. * Friends teasing each other about bailing on plans. * On social media, complaining about poor customer service. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 你别再**找借口**了，这都是你的错。 * Pinyin: Nǐ bié zài **zhǎo jièkǒu** le, zhè dōu shì nǐ de cuò. * English: Stop making excuses, this is all your fault. * Analysis: A very direct and common way to confront someone. "别再...了" (bié zài...le) means "Don't... anymore." * **Example 2:** * 他总是**找借口**说自己很忙，其实就是不想来。 * Pinyin: Tā zǒngshì **zhǎo jièkǒu** shuō zìjǐ hěn máng, qíshí jiùshì bù xiǎng lái. * English: He's always making the excuse that he's busy, but actually he just doesn't want to come. * Analysis: This example shows how one can describe another person's habit of making excuses. "总是" (zǒngshì) means "always." * **Example 3:** * 作业没写完，你有什么**借口**？ * Pinyin: Zuòyè méi xiě wán, nǐ yǒu shénme **jièkǒu**? * English: You didn't finish your homework, what's your excuse? * Analysis: Here, 借口 (jièkǒu) is used as a noun meaning "an excuse." This is a question a teacher or parent would ask. * **Example 4:** * 迟到的理由有很多，但老板只觉得你在**找借口**。 * Pinyin: Chídào de lǐyóu yǒu hěnduō, dàn lǎobǎn zhǐ juéde nǐ zài **zhǎo jièkǒu**. * English: There are many reasons for being late, but the boss just thinks you're making excuses. * Analysis: This sentence perfectly contrasts a legitimate "reason" ([[理由]], lǐyóu) with a perceived "excuse" (借口, jièkǒu). * **Example 5:** * 我不想**找借口**，我承认是我的疏忽。 * Pinyin: Wǒ bù xiǎng **zhǎo jièkǒu**, wǒ chéngrèn shì wǒ de shūhū. * English: I don't want to make excuses; I admit it was my negligence. * Analysis: This shows taking responsibility by explicitly stating one will //not// 找借口. This is seen as a sign of maturity and accountability. * **Example 6:** * 他为了不去开会，甚至**找借口**说他家的猫生病了。 * Pinyin: Tā wèile bù qù kāihuì, shènzhì **zhǎo jièkǒu** shuō tā jiā de māo shēngbìng le. * English: In order to not go to the meeting, he even made up the excuse that his cat was sick. * Analysis: "为了" (wèile) means "in order to," highlighting the purpose of the excuse. "甚至" (shènzhì) means "even," emphasizing the absurdity of the excuse. * **Example 7:** * "堵车"是中国人最常用的**借口**之一。 * Pinyin: "Dǔchē" shì Zhōngguórén zuì chángyòng de **jièkǒu** zhīyī. * English: "Traffic jam" is one of the most common excuses used by Chinese people. * Analysis: A humorous and culturally relevant example. Here, 借口 is again used as a noun. * **Example 8:** * 如果你真的想做一件事，你总能找到时间；如果你不想做，你总能**找到借口**。 * Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zhēnde xiǎng zuò yī jiàn shì, nǐ zǒng néng zhǎodào shíjiān; rúguǒ nǐ bù xiǎng zuò, nǐ zǒng néng **zhǎodào jièkǒu**. * English: If you really want to do something, you can always find the time; if you don't want to do it, you can always find an excuse. * Analysis: A popular saying that contrasts finding time with finding an excuse. Note the parallel structure using "找到时间" (zhǎodào shíjiān - find time) and "找到借口" (zhǎodào jièkǒu - find an excuse). * **Example 9:** * 别拿“我忘了”当**借口**。 * Pinyin: Bié ná “wǒ wàng le” dāng **jièkǒu**. * English: Don't use "I forgot" as an excuse. * Analysis: The structure "拿...当..." (ná...dāng...) means "to take... as..." or "to use... as...". This is a very useful pattern. * **Example 10:** * 他被批评后，非但没有反思，反而不停地**找借口**。 * Pinyin: Tā bèi pīpíng hòu, fēidàn méiyǒu fǎnsī, fǎn'ér bùtíng de **zhǎo jièkǒu**. * English: After being criticized, not only did he not reflect on his actions, but on the contrary, he incessantly made excuses. * Analysis: This example uses the advanced structure "非但...反而..." (fēidàn...fǎn'ér...) which means "not only... but on the contrary...". It shows a strong negative reaction. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **找借口 (zhǎo jièkǒu) vs. 解释 (jiěshì) / 找理由 (zhǎo lǐyóu)** This is the most critical distinction for learners. * **找借口 (zhǎo jièkǒu):** Always negative. Implies the reason is fabricated or flimsy, and the goal is to avoid blame. * **解释 (jiěshì):** Neutral. It means "to explain." You can explain the real, factual reason for something. //Example: "请让我解释一下为什么我迟到了。" (Qǐng ràng wǒ jiěshì yīxià wèishéme wǒ chídào le.) - "Please let me explain why I was late."// * **找理由 (zhǎo lǐyóu):** Mostly neutral. It means "to find a reason." A "理由" (lǐyóu) is a reason or justification that is often seen as more legitimate than a "借口" (jièkǒu). You might "找理由" to persuade someone of something, which could be positive or negative depending on context. But if you're explaining a failure, "理由" is the better word for a legitimate reason. * **Incorrect Usage:** * **Wrong:** 我迟到的**借口**是路上堵车很严重。(Wǒ chídào de jièkǒu shì lùshang dǔchē hěn yánzhòng.) * **Why it's wrong:** If the traffic jam was real and severe, it's a "reason" (理由), not an "excuse" (借口). Using "借口" here makes you sound like you're admitting to lying or that it's a weak reason. * **Correct:** 我迟到的**理由**是路上堵车很严重。(Wǒ chídào de lǐyóu shì lùshang dǔchē hěn yánzhòng.) ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * `[[借口]] (jièkǒu)` - The noun form of the verb phrase: "an excuse," "a pretext." * `[[理由]] (lǐyóu)` - A more neutral or legitimate "reason," "grounds," or "justification." Antonym to 借口 in many contexts. * `[[解释]] (jiěshì)` - (v.) To explain. The neutral act of providing information or clarification. * `[[推卸责任]] (tuīxiè zérèn)` - (v.) To shirk/evade responsibility. A more formal and stronger phrase that describes what someone who 找借口 is often doing. * `[[面子]] (miànzi)` - "Face," social standing, dignity. A core cultural concept that often motivates the act of 找借口. * `[[敷衍]] (fūyǎn)` - (v.) To be perfunctory; to do something half-heartedly just to get it over with. A person who is 敷衍 in their work will often 找借口 when confronted. * `[[找理由]] (zhǎo lǐyóu)` - (v.) To find a reason. A more neutral phrase. While 找借口 is always about evading blame, 找理由 can be for many purposes, like finding a reason to celebrate. * `[[说辞]] (shuōcí)` - (n.) An excuse, a way of putting things. A slightly more formal or literary word for the words used in an excuse.