excusas
/ehx-KOO-sahs/
excuses
When you offer reasons for failure, you are giving "excusas."
excusas(noun)
excuses
?reasons given for failure
pretexts
?false reasons
,apologies
?when referring to formal justification
📝 In Action
No quiero escuchar más excusas, simplemente hazlo.
A1I don't want to hear any more excuses, just do it.
Siempre tiene una lista de excusas para llegar tarde.
A2He always has a list of excuses for arriving late.
Sus excusas no fueron muy convincentes para el jefe.
B1His excuses were not very convincing for the boss.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number
Since the singular noun is 'la excusa' (feminine), the plural form 'excusas' is also feminine and requires feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., 'las excusas ridículas').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Hacer' instead of 'Poner'
Mistake: "Hacer excusas"
Correction: Poner excusas. In Spanish, we typically 'put' or 'set forth' excuses, rather than 'make' them.
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Phrase
The phrase 'no hay excusa' (there is no excuse) is very common when expressing disappointment or frustration.
In informal present tense, when you forgive or pardon someone, you "excusas" them.
excusas(verb)
you excuse
?informal present tense (tú)
you forgive
?informal present tense (tú)
📝 In Action
Tú excusas mi ignorancia, pero ¿qué significa esa palabra?
B1You excuse my ignorance, but what does that word mean?
Si tú excusas su comportamiento, él nunca aprenderá.
B2If you excuse his behavior, he will never learn.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Tú' Form
The form 'excusas' is the way you talk about what 'tú' (you, informal) are doing in the present tense, whether stating a fact (Indicative) or expressing a wish/doubt (Subjunctive).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'excusar' and 'disculpar'
Mistake: "Sometimes learners use 'excusar' when they mean 'disculpar' (to apologize). 'Disculpar' is more common for asking for a pardon for a small interruption."
Correction: Use 'excusar' when talking about forgiving a serious error or justifying a major action. Use 'disculpar' for 'Pardon me' or 'Excuse me'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: excusas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'excusas' as a noun (a thing)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'excusas' is a noun or a verb?
Look at the words around it! If you see 'las' or 'tus' (the/your) right before it, it's definitely the plural noun (excuses). If you see 'tú' (you) right before it, it's the verb form (you excuse/forgive).
Why is the noun 'excusa' feminine?
Most Spanish nouns that end in '-a' are feminine. There is no deep logical reason, it's simply the gender assigned to the word when it developed from Latin.