弁解・辯解|べんかいbenkai[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
弁解弁解 is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it as your default spelling.
辯解辯解 uses outdated kanji and is less common than 弁解. It is a less common written variant, so beginners should use 弁解 instead.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbexplanation (e.g. for one's actions); excuse; justification; defense; defence
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 弁解する（べんかいする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 弁解します（べんかいします） |
| Negative (nai) | 弁解しない（べんかいしない） |
| polite (masen) | 弁解しません（べんかいしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 弁解せず・弁解せぬ（べんかいせず・べんかいせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 弁解した（べんかいした） |
| polite (mashita) | 弁解しました（べんかいしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 弁解しなかった（べんかいしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 弁解しませんでした（べんかいしませんでした） |
| Te form | 弁解して（べんかいして） |
| Potential | 弁解できる（べんかいできる） |
| Passive | 弁解される（べんかいされる） |
| Causative | 弁解させる（べんかいさせる） |
| Causative passive | 弁解させられる（べんかいさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 弁解すれば（べんかいすれば） |
| tara | 弁解したら（べんかいしたら） |
| Volitional | 弁解しよう（べんかいしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 弁解しましょう（べんかいしましょう） |
| Imperative | 弁解しろ（べんかいしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym言い訳いいわけNeutralThe everyday word for making excuses; often carries the nuance of dodging blame. 「弁解」 is more formal and centers on explaining the reason.
- Synonym釈明しゃくめいWrittenExplaining one's position to clear up a misunderstanding or criticism and win understanding, to the public or an individual; more formal than 「弁解」.
- Synonym弁明べんめいWrittenA formal, written-style word for clarifying one's position and defending oneself; stiffer than 「弁解」.
- Synonym口実こうじつNeutralA pretext or excuse, as in 「口実を作る」; the focus is on the reason you put forward to justify something.
- Synonym申し開きもうしひらきWrittenA formal, written-style word for stating one's defense and giving reasons, as in 「申し開きができない」; typically used in the negative.
- Synonym言い開きいいひらきNeutralA rarer noun for clearing oneself of blame; in everyday speech 「言い訳」 is the natural choice.
- Synonym弁疏べんそWrittenA literary word for pleading one's case or defending oneself; rare in modern Japanese, with a classical flavor.
- Synonym陳弁ちんべんWrittenA less common, written-style word for stating one's defense; in daily speech 「弁明」 is preferred.
- Synonym自己弁護じこべんごNeutralSelf-justification: defending oneself against criticism, with the focus on protecting one's own standing.
- Related言い開くいいひらくNeutralA verb for explaining oneself to clear away doubt; uncommon — everyday speech uses 「言い訳する」.
- Related申し開らくもうしひらくWrittenA written-style verb for giving one's defense and explaining one's reasons; rare in everyday speech.
- Related正当化せいとうかWrittenA written-style word for making one's actions out to be right and reasonable; the emphasis is on self-rationalization.
- Related託言たくげんWrittenA written-style word for a pretext or excuse; it can also mean an oral message.
- RelatedかこつけNeutralA pretext made by hiding one's true reason; the verb form 「かこつける」 is more common.
- RelatedエクスキューズNeutralA loanword for 'excuse' with a light, casual feel; in daily speech 「言い訳」 is the usual word.
- Antonym非難ひなんNeutralCriticism or blame directed at someone, as in 「非難を浴びる」; it stands opposite to defending oneself.
- Antonym責めせめNeutralBlame or responsibility pressed on someone; it stands opposite to explaining or defending oneself.
Use 「弁解」 to defend yourself over a fault or explain the reason behind it, as in 「弁解の余地がない」. For everyday excuse-making pick 「言い訳」; for a public explanation 「釈明」; for a formal defense 「申し開き」; for a pretext 「口実」. To condemn, use 「非難」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
