弁解

• 読み: べんかい
• ローマ字: benkai
• 漢字の分解: 弁 (ben) — speak, explain, valve; 解 (kai) — unravel, explain, solve
• 発音: /beɴ.ka.i/

意味

Explanation; excuse; justification; defence. An attempt to explain or excuse one's actions.

A noun and suru-verb meaning to offer an explanation or justification, especially when one is being blamed or criticised. Carries a somewhat defensive nuance — the speaker is trying to talk their way out of trouble. Often appears in negative constructions: 弁解の余地がない (no room for excuses). Slightly more formal than 言い訳 (iiwake, excuse).

例文

1. 遅刻の弁解をしたが、誰も納得しなかった。
2. 弁解の余地がないほどの失敗だった。
3. 彼はミスについて必死に弁解していた。

使い方ガイド

場面: daily life, business, interpersonal

トーン: defensive

起源と歴史

From Sino-Japanese: 弁 (ben, speak/explain) + 解 (kai, unravel/explain). Literally 'to explain and unravel' — attempting to untangle a situation through words.

文化的背景

時代: Modern

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal