Quintuple VS
Synonym Boundary: "しつれいします", "口実", "お先に", "言い訳", "免じる"
All represent the core concept "excuse", but require precise selection.
Japanese Option A
しつれいします
しつれいします (shitsurei shimasu)
N5 / CEFR
Japanese Option B
口実
こうじつ (kōjitsu)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option C
お先に
おさきに (osaki ni)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
言い訳
いいわけ (iiwake)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option E
免じる
めんじる (menjiru)
N2 / CEFR
Quintuple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "excuse" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "しつれいします", "口実", "お先に", "言い訳", "免じる" based on context.
- しつれいします (しつれいします (shitsurei shimasu) - Level: N5): Maps to "Excuse me; Sorry to bother you; Goodbye (when leaving someone's office/home)" and is used when Literally 'I'm committing a rudeness.' Used when entering/leaving a room, interrupting someone, or asking to pass by. It's a polite apology for a potential inconvenience..
- 口実 (こうじつ (kōjitsu) - Level: N3): Maps to "an excuse; a pretext" and is used when Refers to a reason given to hide the real reason or to avoid doing something. Often implies a fabricated or insincere reason..
- お先に (おさきに (osaki ni) - Level: N3): Maps to "Excuse me for going/leaving first; After you" and is used when Used when leaving before others or doing something before others, expressing a slight apology or courtesy. Also used to politely offer someone to go first.
- 言い訳 (いいわけ (iiwake) - Level: N3): Maps to "excuse, explanation" and is used when Often used for giving reasons to avoid responsibility or for a minor mistake. Can have a negative connotation..
- 免じる (めんじる (menjiru) - Level: N2): Maps to "to excuse, to exempt, to remit, to forgive" and is used when A somewhat formal verb. Often used in contexts of excusing someone from a duty, forgiving a fault, or remitting a punishment/fine.
Context for "しつれいします"
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me, I'm leaving first.
Context for "口実"
彼は忙しいのを口実にして、手伝いを断った。
He used being busy as an excuse to refuse to help.
Context for "お先に"
お先に失礼します。
Excuse me for leaving first.
Context for "言い訳"
彼はいつも言い訳ばかりしている。
He's always making excuses.
Context for "免じる"
今回は特別に失敗を免じてあげよう。
I will make an exception and forgive your mistake this time.
Synonym Mastery Challenge
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "お先に失礼します。" (Meaning: "Excuse me, I'm leaving first.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "しつれいします" is correct here because it represents "Excuse me; Sorry to bother you; Goodbye (when leaving someone's office/home)" in the context: "Excuse me, I'm leaving first.".