Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Excuse" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "excuse", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
お邪魔します
おじゃまします (ojamashimasu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
弁解
べんかい (benkai)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "excuse" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between お邪魔します and 弁解.
In Japanese, お邪魔します (おじゃまします (ojamashimasu)) is typically associated with "Excuse me for disturbing; (polite phrase used when entering someone's home/office)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents A polite, set phrase used when visiting someone's home or office, expressing apology for imposing on their space. 主に家や部屋に入る際に言います。.
On the other hand, 弁解 (べんかい (benkai)) maps to "excuse; explanation; justification; defense" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to making excuses, explaining one's actions to avoid blame, or defending oneself. Often used as 弁解する. A literal translation of "excuse" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "お邪魔します"
友達の家を訪ねるとき、ドアを開けて「お邪魔します」と言いました。
When visiting a friend's house, I opened the door and said 'Ojamashimasu'.
Bilingual Context for "弁解"
どれだけ見苦しい_______を重ねても、犯したミスが消えるわけではありません。
No matter how many unsightly excuses you pile up, the mistake you made will not disappear.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "友達の家を訪ねるとき、ドアを開けて「 ＿＿＿ 」と言いました。" (Meaning: "When visiting a friend's house, I opened the door and said 'Ojamashimasu'.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "お邪魔します" fits here because it means "Excuse me for disturbing; (polite phrase used when entering someone's home/office)" in the context of: "When visiting a friend's house, I opened the door and said 'Ojamashimasu'.". "弁解" represents "excuse; explanation; justification; defense".