ze3 ji3借意
Jyutpingze3 ji3
Yaleje yi
Definition
To use something as an excuse or pretext to do something else.
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
This term describes the act of using a pretext or a minor event as a cover to achieve a different, often hidden, goal. It implies a sense of indirectness or social maneuvering, where the speaker avoids being direct about their true intentions. It is frequently used when someone wants to escape an awkward situation or create an opportunity to do something else without drawing attention.
Examples
He made an excuse to walk away, he didn't want to talk to me.
Related words
Common phrases
to make an excuse to leave
to make an excuse to walk away
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 藉口, which refers to the excuse itself as a noun. 借意 functions as a verb phrase describing the action of using a pretext, so it should not be used as a direct object in the same way.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
