excuse; pretext; evasion
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
excuse; pretext; evasion
Refers to an insincere reason given to avoid an obligation or to decline something. Often carries a slightly negative connotation implying dishonesty or evasion.
Zhè这
zhǐ只
shì是
tā他
de的
tuō托
cí辞
bà罢
le了
，
tā他
bù不
xiǎng想
cān参
jiā加
jù聚
huì会
。
This is just his excuse; he doesn't want to attend the party.
Tā他
zhǎo找
le了
gè个
tuō托
cí辞
，
tí提
qián前
lí离
kāi开
le了
huì会
yì议
。
He found a pretext to leave the meeting early.
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Suǒ所
wèi谓
“
gōng工
zuò作
máng忙
”
bù不
guò过
shì是
tuō托
cí辞
。
The so-called 'busy with work' is nothing but an excuse.
verb
to make an excuse; to plead; to evade (by making excuses)
Used when someone declines an invitation, request, or obligation by fabricating or citing a reason. Can be followed by a specific reason or action.
Tā他
tuō托
cí辞
yǒu有
bìng病
，
méi没
lái来
shàng上
bān班
。
He made the excuse that he was sick and didn't come to work.
Tā她
tuō托
cí辞
jù拒
jué绝
le了
yāo邀
qǐng请
。
She declined the invitation with an excuse.
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Bù不
yào要
tuō托
cí辞
，
zhí直
jiē接
shuō说
bù不
xiǎng想
lái来
jiù就
xíng行
le了
。
Don't make excuses; just say directly that you don't want to come.