ming4 muk6名目
Jyutpingming4 muk6
Yalemìhng muhk
Definition
A reason, excuse, or pretext.
colloquialother
How it's used
Often carries a negative connotation, implying that the reason provided is fabricated or used to justify something unreasonable. It is frequently associated with financial contexts, such as hidden fees or suspicious charges, where money is collected under false pretenses. Unlike the neutral 理由, this term suggests a lack of transparency or a deliberate attempt to deceive.
Examples
He uses all sorts of excuses to scam money, it's truly outrageous.
What other excuses do you have for not handing in your homework?
Related words
Common phrases
to invent all sorts of pretexts
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 理由, which is a neutral word for a logical reason. Using 名目 in a situation where you are simply explaining a valid cause will make you sound suspicious or accusatory.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
