ze3藉
Jyutpingze3
Yaleje
Definition
To lay down as a cushion, or figuratively, to rely on or make use of.
- literaryto lay down as a cushion; to mat on
- to rely on; to depend on
- to make use of; to take advantage of
writtenother
How it's used
While 藉 appears in formal writing, its most common spoken usage is within the phrase 藉口, meaning an excuse or pretext. It functions as a formal way to express using something as a cover or a reason to achieve a different goal. In casual speech, people often use 搵藉口 to describe the act of fabricating a reason.
Examples
He always makes excuses about being busy and refuses to come out to meet.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 藉 with 借. While 借 means to borrow or lend, 藉 is specifically used for pretexts, excuses, or relying on something abstract as a foundation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
