弁解

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 弁解 is a noun and irregular verb read べんかい, meaning an excuse or defense offered to justify oneself.
• Basic usage: Use 理由を並べて弁解する for making excuses by listing reasons and 弁解の余地はない when no room for an excuse remains.
  • 彼は失敗の理由を並べて弁解した。 describes him making excuses by listing reasons for his failure; 証拠を示され、もう弁解の余地はなかった。 says that once the evidence was presented, no room for further excuses remained.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 理由を並べて弁解する
  • を並べて describes the manner of offering several reasons one after another.
• 弁解の余地
  • の links the remaining room or possibility specifically to making an excuse.
• もう…なかった
  • もう with the past negative shows that the evidence left no further opportunity for an excuse.