Japanese

をつける

りゆうをつける
Meaning: to make an excuse; to give a reason
Part of Speech: Verb, Expression

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 理由をつける 理由をつけない
Polite 理由をつけます 理由をつけません
Past 理由をつけた 理由をつけなかった
Polite + Past 理由をつけました 理由をつけませんでした
Te-form 理由をつけて 理由をつけなくて
Potential 理由をつけられる 理由をつけられない
Passive 理由をつけられる 理由をつけられない
Causative 理由をつけさせる 理由をつけさせない
Imperative 理由をつけろ 理由をつけるな

Example

彼はいつも遅刻に理由をつける。
He always makes excuses for being late.

Usage Notes

Used when someone attaches a reason to an action, often with the nuance of making an excuse.

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