mượn cớ

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The Vietnamese phrase "mượn cớ" translates to "to use as a pretext" or "to make an excuse" in English. It refers to the act of using a reason or explanation that is not entirely true or is only partly true in order to justify an action or to avoid doing something.

Usage Instructions:

• "Mượn cớ" is often used in contexts where someone is trying to avoid responsibility or to get out of a situation by providing a reason that may not fully reflect the truth.
• This phrase is commonly used in both spoken and written Vietnamese, especially in informal settings.

Example:

• Sentence: "Cô ấy mượn cớ nhà có việc để không đi dự tiệc."
• Translation: "She used the excuse that she had family business to avoid attending the party."

Advanced Usage:

• In more complex sentences, "mượn cớ" can be used in various tenses and with different subjects.
• For instance, you might say: "Họ thường mượn cớ thời tiết xấu để không đi làm." (They often use the excuse of bad weather to avoid going to work.)

Word Variants:

• "Cớ" itself means "reason" or "excuse," while "mượn" means "to borrow." Together, they imply borrowing a reason for one’s own advantage.

Different Meanings:

• While "mượn cớ" primarily means to use a pretext, it can also imply a sense of deception or manipulation, as the reason given is often not genuine.

Synonyms:

• Similar phrases include "lấy cớ" (to take an excuse), which conveys a similar meaning. However, "lấy cớ" can sometimes feel slightly less deceptive than "mượn cớ."
• Another synonym could be "biện minh" (to justify), but this term may not necessarily imply dishonesty.

Academic

1. Use as pretext, pretext
   • Mượn cớ nhà có việc để nghỉ học
     To use the pretext of a family business to be absent from school, to stay away from school on pretext of a family business