N3
べんかい (benkai)
弁解
excuse; explanation; justification; defense
💡 Nuance & Usage:
Refers to making excuses, explaining one's actions to avoid blame, or defending oneself. Often used as 弁解する (to make excuses). ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'No excuses! I don't want to hear your flimsy excuses for being late to our meeting! ...Unless your excuse is that you were busy picking out a gift for me? Tell me!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『弁解無用！私との大切な打ち合わせに遅刻した言い訳なんて聞きたくないわ！…あ、でも、もし私へのプレゼントを必死で選んでて遅れたって言うなら、特別に許してあげなくもないけど？』
📝 Example Sentences
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.
Practice Quiz
Test your understanding of "弁解"!
遅刻の理由を聞かれた彼は、あれこれと苦しい_______を始めました。
🎉 正解 / Correct!
日本語: 自分の非を免れようとする言い訳「弁解」が正解です。ハルカ部長：『苦しい弁解！男なら言い訳せずに、「寂しくさせてごめん」って私をギュッと抱きしめるくらいの度量を見せなさいよ！』
English: Since it represents excuses to escape one's fault, 'excuse/defense' (benkai) is correct. Haruka: 'Painful excuse! If you are a man, don't make excuses—show some caliber by hugging me tight and saying "Sorry for making you lonely"!'
English: Since it represents excuses to escape one's fault, 'excuse/defense' (benkai) is correct. Haruka: 'Painful excuse! If you are a man, don't make excuses—show some caliber by hugging me tight and saying "Sorry for making you lonely"!'
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