Meaning and Usage
ごまかす means to deceive, to falsify, or to misrepresent something. It often implies trying to hide the truth or avoid responsibility by trickery or evasion.
Common Contexts
This verb is frequently used when someone tries to cover up mistakes, avoid answering questions directly, or gloss over problems. It can be used in both casual and formal contexts but often carries a negative nuance.
Typical Collocations
- ごまかす失敗 (to cover up a failure): used when hiding errors or faults.
- ごまかす質問 (to evade a question): avoiding direct answers.
- ごまかす態度 (a deceptive attitude): showing dishonesty or insincerity.
Usage Notes
When using ごまかす, the speaker implies intentional deception or evasion. It is different from simple mistakes or forgetfulness because it involves deliberate concealment or misrepresentation.
A common learner mistake is confusing ごまかす with 逃げる (to run away). ごまかす focuses on deception or evasion through words or actions, not physical escape.
Use ごまかす when you want to express that someone is deliberately hiding the truth or avoiding responsibility in a subtle or indirect way.