Quadruple VS
Synonym Boundary: "しつれいします", "口実", "お邪魔します", "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
お邪魔します
おじゃまします (ojamashimasu)
N3 / CEFR
Japanese Option D
免じる
めんじる (menjiru)
N2 / CEFR
Quadruple VS Nuance Contrast & Social Differences
When expressing "excuse" in Japanese, you must carefully distinguish between "しつれいします", "口実", "お邪魔します", "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..
- お邪魔します (おじゃまします (ojamashimasu) - Level: N3): Maps to "Excuse me for disturbing; (polite phrase used when entering someone's home/office)" and is used when 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。.
- 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'.
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.".