口 実(こうじつ)

こうじつ

noun

excuse, pretext

1. excuse, pretext

A reason given to justify an action, often not the true reason; a pretense.

仕事(しごと)を口実(こうじつ)にして、約束(やくそく)を断(ことわ)った。

I used work as an excuse to turn down the invitation.

〜を口実にして = using ~ as an excuse

病気(びょうき)を口実(こうじつ)に会社(かいしゃ)を休(やす)んだ。

I took a day off from work using illness as an excuse.

それは単(たん)なる口実(こうじつ)に過(す)ぎない。

That's nothing but an excuse.

〜に過ぎない = nothing more than

彼(かれ)は体調(たいちょう)不良(ふりょう)を口実(こうじつ)にして、面倒(めんどう)な仕事(しごと)を避(さ)けている。

He's using poor health as an excuse to avoid troublesome work.

出張(しゅっちょう)を口実(こうじつ)にして旅行(りょこう)を楽(たの)しんでいるのではないかと、同僚(どうりょう)に疑(うたが)われた。

My colleagues suspected that I was using business trips as a pretext to enjoy traveling.

USAGE NOTE:
口実(こうじつ) has a negative connotation, implying the stated reason is not the true reason. It suggests deception or avoidance.

COMMON PATTERNS:

〜を口実(こうじつ)にする (to use ~ as an excuse)
〜を口実(こうじつ)にして (using ~ as a pretext)
口実(こうじつ)を設(もう)ける (to make up an excuse)

SIMILAR WORDS:

言(い)い訳(わけ) - excuse, justification (can be legitimate or not)
理由(りゆう) - reason (neutral)
弁解(べんかい) - explanation, defense

Related Words

Synonym: 言(い)い訳(わけ) (excuse (general))

core

Added 2026.1.13 22:58 · Revised 2026.6.11 2:34

04000/04183_koujitsu