záminku

Záminka is a Czech noun meaning pretext or pretense: a reason given to justify an action or decision that is intended to conceal the true motive. It is a neutral-to-negative term, often used when the stated justification is suspected of being only a cover for what one really wants or needs to do.

Usage and nuance: A záminka is a justification designed to persuade others or to avert criticism, rather than a truthful explanation. It differs from alibi, which in Czech is used for proving one’s absence from a location to avoid suspicion, and from výmluva, which is a general excuse. The term záminka specifically implies that the justification serves to mask underlying intentions or to evade responsibility.

Contexts: The concept appears across everyday language, journalism, and politics. People talk about using a záminka to push through a decision, to leave a meeting, or to avoid an uncomfortable discussion. Because it carries a notion of manipulation, its use can invite skepticism about the speaker’s motives.

Examples: A politician might present a záminka for altering a policy, stating a need to respond to external pressure, while the real motive could be a different strategic goal. In personal life, someone might describe a sudden trip as a záminka to hide a different plan.

See also: alibi, výmluva, důvod, motiv.