What does 言い訳 mean?
言い訳 is a Japanese noun meaning “excuse, explanation” in English. It can also be translated as “explanation” depending on context. It is written as 言い訳 in kanji, いいわけ in hiragana, and iiwake in romaji. This word is part of JLPT N1 vocabulary.
Example sentences
他人の悪事を引き合いに出して自分の悪事の言い訳をすることはできない。
Two wrongs don't make a right.
ジェーンは自分の言い訳が正しいと主張した。
Jane insisted that she was right.