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借口 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
借口jièkǒuto use as an excuseHSK 7, n, 13 strokes, rank #2209, Very Hard
借口jièkǒuon the pretextHSK 7, n, 13 strokes, rank #2209, Very Hard
借口jièkǒuexcuseHSK 7, n, 13 strokes, rank #2209, Very Hard
借口jièkǒupretextHSK 7, n, 13 strokes, rank #2209, Very Hard
jièkǒu(jie4kou3)jie kou T4
  1. 1to use as an excuse
  2. 2on the pretext
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March 24, 2026

借口jièkǒu(jie4kou3)

借口 (jièkǒu) refers to an excuse or pretext used to justify an action or avoid responsibility. It is commonly used in contexts where someone tries to explain their behavior or decisions, often implying insincerity or a lack of accountability.

Strokes13Frequency#2209DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 借口 can reflect a broader societal emphasis on harmony and face-saving, where individuals may avoid direct confrontation by using excuses rather than addressing issues openly.

Memory tip

Imagine someone borrowing (借) a coat (口) to avoid the cold. The coat represents an excuse to shield themselves from criticism or consequences, linking the character's components to its meaning.

Meanings of 借口

jièkǒu(jie4kou3)
1to use as an excuse
2on the pretext
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 借口

借口Simplified
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2209Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 借口

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AI study notes for 借口

Quick Contrast

借口 (jièkǒu) vs 理由 (lǐyóu) — use 借口 when implying insincerity or avoidance, while 理由 is more neutral, referring to a reason without negative connotations.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when using 借口, as it can imply dishonesty. It is typically used in informal contexts but can appear in formal discussions about responsibility. Common collocations include '找借口' (to find an excuse) and '用借口' (to use an excuse).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 借口 connects with other words regarding responsibility and accountability. Students should practice forming sentences that illustrate its usage in everyday scenarios, enhancing their understanding of excuses in social interactions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 借口 with 理由 (lǐyóu), which means 'reason.' An incorrect sentence might be '我有一个理由' (I have an excuse), which should instead use 借口: '我有一个借口.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 借口

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Component characters

借jièto lend
HSK 310 strokes亻
View full entry
口kǒumouth
HSK 13 strokes口
View full entry

How to say to use as an excuse in Chinese

“to use as an excuse” in Chinese is借口jièkǒu

借口 (jièkǒu) refers to an excuse or pretext used to justify an action or avoid responsibility. It is commonly used in contexts where someone tries to explain their behavior or decisions, often implying insincerity or a lack of accountability.

When to use 借口

Be cautious with the tone when using 借口, as it can imply dishonesty. It is typically used in informal contexts but can appear in formal discussions about responsibility. Common collocations include '找借口' (to find an excuse) and '用借口' (to use an excuse).

借口 or something close to it

借口 (jièkǒu) vs 理由 (lǐyóu) — use 借口 when implying insincerity or avoidance, while 理由 is more neutral, referring to a reason without negative connotations.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 借口 with 理由 (lǐyóu), which means 'reason.' An incorrect sentence might be '我有一个理由' (I have an excuse), which should instead use 借口: '我有一个借口.'

Write 借口

借
口

Practice writing 借口 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 借口

借口 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

马克被一连串____打发了。

Mark was palmed off with a series of excuses.

Example sentences for 借口 (10)

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1
马克被一连串借口打发了。

mǎ kè bèi yìliánchuàn jièkǒu dǎfa le。

Mark was palmed off with a series of excuses.
2
他们现在会找个蹩脚的借口重新发动战争。

tāmen xiànzài huì zhǎo gè bié jiǎo de jièkǒu chóngxīn fādòng zhànzhēng。

They would now find some dubious pretext to restart the war.
3
他含含糊糊地找了个蹩脚的借口，想要解释自己为什么睡着了。

tā hán hánhu hú dì zhǎo le gè bié jiǎo de jièkǒu， xiǎngyào jiěshì zìjǐ wèishénme shuìzháo le。

He mumbled some lame excuse about having gone to sleep.
4
他们想找借口用武力征服这个地区。

tāmen xiǎng zhǎo jièkǒu yòng wǔlì zhēngfú zhège dìqū。

They wanted a pretext for subduing the region by force.
5
我们不能拿少数这几个人作为一种方便的借口而对此置之不理。

wǒmen bù néng ná shǎoshù zhè jǐ gèrén zuòwéi yī zhǒng fāngbiàn de jièkǒu ér duì cǐ zhì zhī bùlǐ。

We cannot make this minority a convenient excuse to turn our backs.
6
他找了某个她根本不会相信的借口给她打电话。

tā zhǎo le mǒu gè tā gēnběn bù huì xiāngxìn de jièkǒu gěi tā dǎdiànhuà。

He'd telephoned with some phoney excuse she didn't believe for a minute.
7
为他的犹豫不决寻找借口是很容易的。

wèi tā de yóuyùbùjué xúnzhǎo jièkǒu shì hěn róngyì de。

It is easy to find excuses for his indecisiveness.
8
多差劲的借口啊！

duō chà jìn de jièkǒu a！

What pathetic excuses.
9
睡得过久而迟到,这个借口站不住脚.

shuì de guò jiǔ ér chídào, zhège jièkǒu zhàn bù zhù jiǎo.

Sleeping too long is a lame excuse for being late.
10
他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解.

tā xiǎng yòng zhàn bù zhù jiǎo de jièkǒu wèi zìjǐ de quēxí biànjiě.

He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.

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Frequently asked questions about 借口

Yes, 借口 usually carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the excuse is not genuine or is used to evade responsibility.

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