What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the verb 言う (iu, to say) and 訳 (wake, reason/meaning).
Which one should you use?
While 言い訳 is a general term for an excuse or explanation, 口実 (koujitsu) specifically refers to a pretext or a false reason used to hide one's true motive. 弁解 (benkai) is a more formal term for an excuse or explanation, often used in legal or official contexts to justify one's actions.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
iiwake
When do people say it?
Depending on the situation, Japanese speakers use different words for 'excuse'. For a formal 'excuse me' used for apologizing for interrupting, seeking attention or passing through a crowd, use 失礼します. To politely ask for forgiveness for a mistake or an imposition, use the formal お許しを. A widely used word for 'excuse' that can be used both as an apology and to get someone's attention is すみません. For casual settings with friends and family, you can use ごめん to mean 'excuse me' or 'I'm sorry' or the even more casual and colloquial わりい to mean 'sorry' or 'my bad'.
Did you know?
- The word すみません is grammatically the negative form of a verb meaning 'to be clear' or 'to be settled', implying the speaker feels the debt of the mistake is not yet cleared.
- Japanese culture emphasizes 'reading the air', so an 言い訳 is often viewed as more offensive than the original mistake because it disrupts the social harmony.
- While 言い訳 means 'excuse', the word 訳 on its own is used in the phrase 訳あり to describe someone or something with a 'complicated' or 'secret' history.
Examples in context
- 言い訳をしても無駄だ。There is no use trying to excuse yourself.This sentence shows the futility of trying to excuse oneself using 言い訳.Tatoeba #174793 by small_snow, translation #239675 by Dejo
- いつも言い訳ばかりだな。You always have an excuse.This sentence highlights someone who is always making an 言い訳.Tatoeba #8602349 by bunbuku, translation #7831437 by shekitten
- そんな言い訳は通らないよ。That excuse will not do.This sentence shows that a specific 言い訳 will not be accepted.Tatoeba #204150 by small_snow, translation #41392 by AlanF_US
- 失礼します、お手洗いはどこですか？Excuse me, where is the restroom?
- すみません、お時間いただけますか？Excuse me, may I have a moment of your time?
- ごめん、ちょっと遅れるね。Sorry, I'm running a bit late.
- わりい、うっかり忘れちゃった。Sorry, I completely forgot.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta is apologizing to Himari for being late.
- 健太 Kenta遅れてごめん。言い訳はしないよ。Okurete gomen. Iiwake wa shinai yo.Sorry I'm late. I won't make any excuses.
- 陽葵 Himari言い訳を聞きたいわけじゃないの。Iiwake o kikitai wake janai no.It's not that I want to hear an excuse.
- 健太 Kenta本当に反省しているんだ。Hontou ni hansei shite iru nda.I am truly reflecting on my mistake.
- 陽葵 Himari次からは気をつけてね。Tsugi kara wa ki o tsukete ne.Please be careful from now on.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 言い訳, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
