구실이 · 구실을
excuse, pretext
Example
그는 감기를 구실로 회사에 가지 않았어요.
He used a cold as an excuse not to go to work.
Word parts
구 mouth+실 fact
Literally 'mouth fact': a reason that exists only in words.
Good to know
A different native word 구실 means 'role': 제 구실을 하다 = to do one's part.
Related words