弁解(べんかい)

べんかい
noun, suru verb
excuse; explanation; justification
1. excuse; explanation; justification
explaining or justifying one's actions, often to avoid blame or criticism
弁解(べんかい)の余地(よち)がない。
There is no room for excuses.
彼(かれ)は遅刻(ちこく)の弁解(べんかい)をしようとした。
He tried to make an excuse for being late.
弁解(べんかい)がましいことは言(い)いたくない。
I don't want to make excuse-like statements.
どんな弁解(べんかい)も通(とお)用しない状況(じょうきょう)だった。
It was a situation where no excuse would work.

弁解(べんかい) refers to explaining or justifying one's actions, typically when facing criticism or blame. It often carries a slightly negative nuance of making excuses.

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 弁(べん) (speak, explain, argue)
  • 解(かい) (solve, explain, untie)

USAGE:

  • 弁解(べんかい)する (to make an excuse, to justify - suru verb)
  • 弁解(べんかい)の余地(よち)がない (no room for excuses)
  • 弁解(べんかい)がましい (excuse-like, seeming to make excuses)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 弁解(べんかい)を試(こころ)みる (to attempt an excuse)
  • 弁解(べんかい)に終始(しゅうし)する (to end up just making excuses)
  • 苦(くる)しい弁解(べんかい) (a weak/painful excuse)

NUANCE:

  • Can be neutral (explanation) or negative (excuse-making)
  • Often implies the speaker is at fault
  • More formal than 言(い)い訳(わけ) (excuse - colloquial)

CONTRAST:

  • 弁明(べんめい) - more formal defense/vindication
  • 釈明(しゃくめい) - more formal explanation/clarification
  • 言(い)い訳(わけ) - casual excuse

RELATED TERMS:

  • 弁明(べんめい) (vindication, explanation)
  • 言(い)い訳(わけ) (excuse)
  • 釈明(しゃくめい) (explanation, clarification)
  • 正当化(せいとうか) (justification)
general
Added 2026.1.25 8:46 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
07500/07993_benkai