exceso

/eks-SEH-soh/

excess

A small, simple woven basket completely overflowing with a massive, colorful pile of apples and oranges, symbolizing too much quantity.

Visualizing exceso (excess) as having more than necessary.

exceso(noun)

mB1

excess

more than necessary or allowed

surplus

an amount left over

Also:

abundance

a large quantity

📝 In Action

Condujo con exceso de velocidad y le pusieron una multa.

He drove with excessive speed and was given a ticket.

Hay un exceso de azúcar en esta receta, es demasiado dulce.

There is an excess of sugar in this recipe; it's too sweet.

Debemos evitar el exceso de trabajo para cuidar nuestra salud.

We must avoid overworking (an excess of work) to take care of our health.

Word Connections

Synonyms

demasía (too much)
sobra (leftover, surplus)

Antonyms

carencia (lack)
escasez (shortage)

Common Collocations

exceso de velocidad – speeding
por exceso – due to excess
el exceso de peso – excess weight

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'de' with Exceso

You almost always use the little connecting word 'de' (of) after 'exceso' to show what there is too much of: 'exceso de sal' (excess of salt).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Translating 'Too much'

Mistake: "Using 'demasiado' directly as a noun: 'Hay demasiado en la mesa.'"

Correction: Use 'exceso' when talking about the quantity itself: 'Hay un exceso de cosas en la mesa.' ('Demasiado' is usually an adjective or adverb.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal vs. Casual

'Exceso' is a great, versatile word. For casual talk, you can often just use 'demasiado' (too much), but 'exceso' adds a formal or official tone (like in laws or reports).

A cheerful cartoon person sitting happily at a small table, holding their distended stomach after consuming a huge amount of ice cream, showing overindulgence.

Visualizing exceso when referring to overindulgence in food or pleasure.

exceso(noun)

mB2

overindulgence

in food, drink, or pleasure

misbehavior

a transgression or bad action

Also:

intemperance

lack of moderation

📝 In Action

Sus problemas de salud vinieron después de años de excesos.

His health problems came after years of overindulgence (or excesses).

La prensa criticó los excesos cometidos por la celebridad.

The press criticized the transgressions committed by the celebrity.

Word Connections

Synonyms

abusos (abuses)
desenfreno (unrestraint)

Antonyms

moderación (moderation)
sobriedad (sobriety)

Common Collocations

cometer excesos – to commit excesses/to overindulge

💡 Grammar Points

Used in Plural

When referring to a lifestyle of overindulgence, 'exceso' is often used in the plural form, 'excesos', meaning 'a series of bad habits' or 'transgressions'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

If you hear 'exceso' without 'de' (like 'vivir de excesos'), it usually refers to this meaning of immoderation, not just a simple quantity.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: exceso

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'exceso' to mean 'overindulgence' or 'bad habits'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

excesivo(excessive) - adjective

exceder(to exceed) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'exceso' and 'excesivo'?

'Exceso' is the noun, meaning the quantity itself ('the excess'). 'Excesivo' is the adjective, meaning descriptive ('excessive'). For example: 'Hay un exceso de ruido' (There is an excess of noise) vs. 'El ruido es excesivo' (The noise is excessive).

Is 'exceso' always a negative word?

Usually, yes. It implies going beyond a healthy or acceptable limit. While you could technically say 'un exceso de alegría' (an excess of joy), it still suggests an immoderate amount, which might be viewed as overwhelming or unstable.