gaa2 tok3假托

Jyutpinggaa2 tok3

Yalegá tok

動詞

Definition

To use something as an excuse or pretext; to make a false claim.

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How it's used

This term is formal and often carries a negative connotation of deception or manipulation. It implies that the stated reason is merely a cover for the actual intention. While it functions as a verb, it is rarely used in casual, everyday speech, where people might prefer simpler phrases like 搵藉口.

Examples

keoi5佢gaa2假tok3托jau5有gap1急si6事，zik1即hak1刻zau2走zo2咗laa3喇。

He left immediately on the pretext of an emergency.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想gaa2假tok3托san1身tai2體m4唔syu1舒fuk6服，m4唔heoi3去hoi1開wui2會aa4呀？

Are you trying to skip the meeting by pretending to feel unwell?

Common phrases

gaa2假tok3托zik6藉hau2口

to use as an excuse

gaa2假tok3托ming4名ji6義

under the name of

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 假裝, which simply means to pretend or feign. 假托 specifically requires an external excuse or a third party to act as the justification for an action.