Japanese grammar
What does ～にかこつけて mean? Japanese grammar N1
～にかこつけて means under the pretext of…; using… as an excuse.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + にかこつけて |
| Romaji | nikakotsukete |
| Meaning | under the pretext of…; using… as an excuse |
Forming it
| Noun (reason) | 出張 + にかこつけて |
|---|---|
| Noun (occasion) | 病気 + にかこつけて |
How to use it
Uses A as an outward excuse to do B (the real purpose is different, usually not legitimate).
- 「～にかこつけて」 = “using A as an outward excuse to do B”, while the real purpose is B (usually self-serving/not legitimate).
- A is a reason that seems legitimate but is exploited.
- Negative nuance (making excuses, exploiting an occasion).
Examples
出張にかこつけて、観光を楽しんだ。
Using the business trip as a pretext, he enjoyed sightseeing.
病気にかこつけて、仕事を休んだ。
He used illness as an excuse to skip work.
Keep in mind
- Attaches to a noun.
- The clause that follows states the real purpose (usually self-serving).
Common mistakes
-
Wrong忙しいにかこつけて、連絡しなかった。
Using being busy as an excuse, I didn't get in touch.
Correct忙しさにかこつけて、連絡しなかった。
「にかこつけて」 attaches to a noun; an adjective must be nominalized (忙しさ).
-
Wrong出張にかこつけて、真面目に働いた。
Using the business trip as an excuse, he worked diligently.
Correct出張にかこつけて、遊んだ。
The clause after 「にかこつけて」 is a DIFFERENT real purpose (usually self-serving), not doing the very thing used as the excuse.
Exam tips
- 「にかこつけて」 = using A as an excuse for a different (usually self-serving) purpose.