に託けて
In the name of, Using the excuse of, To use as a pretext of, Under the guise or pretense of
Structure
Verb + の(1) + にかこつけて
(1) こと
Explanation
The expression に託けて is formed by combining the case-marking particle に with the る-Verb 託ける, which means ‘to use as an excuse’ or ‘to use as a pretext’. While its literal meaning is closer to 'to assign to' or 'to entrust to', in this context it is typically translated into English as ‘under the guise of (A)’, or ‘using (A) as an excuse’.
This grammar point can follow a noun directly, or a verb phrase that has been turned into a noun using の.
- 図書館に行くというのに託けて、友達に会ってしまった。I met up with a friend, using the excuse of going to the library.
- 本を返すというのに託けて、彼女にもう一度会いに行くつもりだ。I plan to go see her again under the guise of returning a book.
- 兄はいつも何らかの理由にかこつけて、私にお金を借りに来る。My older brother always comes to borrow money from me, using some sort of excuse.
- 頭痛にかこつけて、早めに会社を退社した。Using a headache as a pretext, I left the office early.
Caution
Even with the common translations, the original meaning of ‘to assign’ is still relevant, as it frames the action as ‘labeling it as (A)’. This is because に託けて is often used to criticize someone for using a superficial excuse to achieve a hidden objective.
- 猫を探すのに託けて、隣の家の中を覗いた。I peeked into the neighbor's house, labeling the action as searching for a cat.
- 彼は会議に託けて、恋人とデートしているそうだ。I hear he's on a date with his girlfriend, consigning it as a work meeting.
Examples
彼は市場調査に託けて、気になっていたカフェで長居している。
Under the pretext of market research, he's lingering at a café he's been curious about.
山田さんは会議に託けて、面倒な書類整理を避けた。
Mr. Yamada avoided the tedious task of organizing documents by using a meeting as an excuse.
母：「あら、賢ちゃん、お手伝い？」
息子：「うん！お手伝いに託けておやつが食べたいだけだけどね。」
Mother: 'Oh, Ken-chan, are you helping me?'
Son: 'Yeah! Though I'm really just using "helping" as an excuse to get a snack.'
あの企業はチャリティーイベントに託けて、自社の宣伝をしているだけだ。
That corporation is just promoting their own company under the guise of a charity event.
健康上の理由に託けて、毎回の飲み会を断っている。
He turns down the drinking party every time, using health reasons as his excuse.
叔母の見舞いに託けて、週末に京都へ小旅行を楽しんだ。
Under the pretext of visiting my aunt, I enjoyed a short trip to Kyoto over the weekend.
Ａ：「佐藤くんにどうやって連絡しよう…。」
Ｂ：「彼に借りていた本を返すに託けて、会う約束をしたら？」
A: 'How should I get in touch with Sato-kun...?'
B: 'Why don't you make a plan to meet him under the pretense of returning the book you borrowed?'
彼は報道の自由に託けて、他人のプライバシーを侵害している。
He infringes on other people's privacy in the name of freedom of the press.
妻の独り言：「うちの夫ったら、仕事の付き合いに託けて、どうせ友達と飲みに行ってるのよ。」
A wife's monologue: 'My husband is probably just out drinking with his friends, using a "work obligation" as his excuse.'
その芸術家は「アート」に託けて、しばしば物議をかもす作品を発表する。
That artist often releases controversial works under the pretext of "art".
娘は図書館での勉強に託けて、恋人とデートしているに違いない。
My daughter is definitely on a date with her boyfriend, using "studying at the library" as an excuse.
友人への文句：「またペットのために託けて、自分が欲しい高価なものを買ったでしょう！」
Complaining to a friend: 'You bought another expensive thing you wanted for yourself, using the excuse that it's for your pet, didn't you!'
部長は「チームビルディング」に託けて、休日に社員をハイキングに誘った。
Under the guise of "team building," the department head invited the employees to go hiking on their day off.