Translation and Meaning of: 言い訳 - iiwake

Have you ever found yourself trying to explain something you did wrong, but ended up just making a lame excuse? In Japanese, this situation has its own word: 言い訳 (いいわけ). If you are here, you probably want to better understand the meaning, origin, and how to use this expression in everyday life. In this article, we will explore everything from the etymology of the kanji to real situations in which Japanese people use 言い訳 — and how to avoid falling into it! Moreover, if you are studying Japanese, you will find memorization tips and even practical examples to include in your Anki or spaced repetition program.

Etymology and Composition of the Kanji

The word 言い訳 is formed by two kanjis: 言 (いう / iu), which means "to speak," and 訳 (わけ / wake), which can be translated as "reason" or "explanation." Together, they create the meaning of "spoken explanation" — or, as we use in Portuguese, "excuse." Interestingly, the kanji 訳 also appears in words like 申し訳ない (もうしわけない), which expresses a more formal and sincere apology.

Unlike English, where "excuse" and "apology" have distinct nuances, in Japanese 言い訳 carries a more neutral tone. It can be both a legitimate justification and that little excuse we come up with when we're in a pinch. An interesting detail is that, in writing, the first kanji (言) appears in several other words related to communication, such as 言葉 (ことば / kotoba - word) and 言う (いう / iu - to say).

Lies in Japanese everyday life

In Japan, where social harmony (和 / wa) is taken seriously, making too many 言い訳 can be frowned upon. Imagine arriving late to work and saying: "電車が遅れたんです" (the train was delayed). If it's true, it's a valid explanation. Now, if you made it up because you slept in, it becomes a 言い訳 that is false — and the Japanese notice the difference quickly! In formal situations, it's more common to hear 申し訳ありません (moushiwake arimasen) as a way to genuinely apologize.

A classic situation is when children try to justify themselves to their parents. Who hasn't heard a "でも…" (demo… / "but…") followed by an on-the-spot made-up explanation? Adults also fall for this, especially in the corporate environment. A survey by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun showed that 68% of Japanese workers have already made 言い訳 to avoid conflicts in the office. The trick? When in doubt, it the mistake — Japanese culture values sincerity more than elaborate justifications.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

If you want to fix 言い訳 in your vocabulary, try associating the kanji 言 (mouth speaking) with situations where someone is "explaining" something with their hands. Visualize a person gesticulating a lot while trying to justify themselves — the exaggeration helps to ! Another technique is to create flashcards with phrases like: "言い訳するより、謝った方がいいよ" (It's better to apologize than to make excuses). Put it in your Anki and review regularly.

When using it, : 言い訳 is not necessarily bad. It depends on the context. If you really need to explain a reason, you can say "言い訳ではないのですが…" ("It's not an excuse, but…") before giving your justification. Now, if you hear "言い訳は聞きたくない", it's a sign that the person doesn't want to hear your explanations — better change tactics! So, are you ready to use this word without falling into the traps of flimsy excuses?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 弁解 (benkai) - Justification, defense, or explanation of an action.
• 言い逃れ (iiogare) - Evasive justification, trying to avoid responsibility.
• 言い訳する (iiwake suru) - Make a justification; explain yourself.
• 言い訳をする (iiwake o suru) - Make a justification (variant of the previous one).
• 言い訳を言う (iiwake o iu) - Give a justification; express an apology.
• 言い訳する人 (iiwake suru hito) - Person who makes justifications.
• 言い訳がましい (iiwake gamashii) - Allusive to justifications; tends to make many excuses.
• 言い訳をする人 (iiwake o suru hito) - Another way to refer to a person who makes excuses.
• 言い訳を言わない (iiwake o iwanai) - Do not give justifications; avoid justifications.
• 言い訳をしない人 (iiwake o shinai hito) - Person who does not make excuses.