N1 Cause, Reason, and Basis

~にかこつけて: meaning, usage and examples

~にかこつけて means: using... as an excuse / on the pretext of...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 彼かれは出張しゅっちょうにかこつけて、現地げんちの観光かんこうを楽たのしんでいる。

   On the pretext of a business trip, he is enjoying sightseeing in the local area.

2. 風邪かぜにかこつけて、面倒めんどうな会議かいぎを欠席けっせきした。

   Using a cold as an excuse, I skipped the troublesome meeting.

3. 忙いそがしさにかこつけて、もう何なん年ねんも実家じっかに帰かえっていない。

   Using being busy as an excuse, I have not gone home to my parents for years.

4. 子供こどもの誕生日たんじょうびにかこつけて、自分じぶんの好すきなケーキを買かってきた。

   Using my child's birthday as an excuse, I bought the cake I like.

When to use it

Says that someone uses a reason as a pretext for doing what they really want, or for avoiding something. Example: 出張しゅっちょうにかこつけて観光かんこうを楽たのしむ (enjoying sightseeing on the pretext of a business trip). The noun is a plausible-sounding reason: work, illness, a holiday, someone's birthday.

Nuance

Neutral to slightly formal. The tone is critical or wryly self-mocking, since the real motive is different from the stated one. It is often used about other people, but also about oneself in a joking confession.

Compare

を口実こうじつに means almost the same and is more direct: 病気びょうきを口実こうじつに休やすんだ. にかこつけて often sounds lighter. のをいいことに takes advantage of a situation: 誰だれも見みていないのをいいことに. をきっかけに is a genuine trigger with no pretense: 留学りゅうがくをきっかけに料理りょうりを始はじめた.

Tip: If you could translate it as "under the pretext of" or "using X as an excuse," にかこつけて fits. The real motive is usually pleasure or avoidance.