Inklingo

How to Say "excuse" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “excuse” is “excusa” — use this for a simple, direct reason given for a fault or failure to do something..

excusa🔊A1

Use this for a simple, direct reason given for a fault or failure to do something.

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disculpa🔊A2

Use this when you are offering a reason for something you did wrong, often implying an apology is needed.

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perdonen🔊A2

Use this to politely get the attention of a group of people or to apologize for a minor inconvenience.

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disculpe🔊B1

Use this as a formal command to politely interrupt someone or ask them to overlook something.

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coartada🔊B1

Use this specifically for an alibi, a justification proving you were elsewhere when a crime or event occurred.

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cuento🔊B1

Use this for a made-up, often unbelievable, reason or fabrication to avoid responsibility.

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historia🔊B2

Use this to describe a long, elaborate, and highly unbelievable story or excuse someone is trying to pass off as true.

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English → Spanish

excusa

/eks-KOO-sah//ekˈsusa/

nounA1general
Use this for a simple, direct reason given for a fault or failure to do something.
A storybook illustration of a child standing next to a broken vase, nervously pointing at a small puppy as if blaming the pet for the accident.

Examples

Su excusa para no venir fue que su perro estaba enfermo.

His excuse for not coming was that his dog was sick.

No tengo ninguna buena excusa para mi error.

I don't have any good excuse for my mistake.

Usó el tráfico como excusa para llegar tarde a la reunión.

He used the traffic as a pretext for arriving late to the meeting.

Gender Check

Remember that 'excusa' is always a feminine word, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it: 'una excusa ridícula'.

disculpa

/dis-KOOL-pah//dis'kulpa/

nounA2general
Use this when you are offering a reason for something you did wrong, often implying an apology is needed.
A small child giving a sorry-looking flower to an older, slightly sad child as a gesture of apology.

Examples

Te debo una disculpa por mi comportamiento de ayer.

I owe you an apology for my behavior yesterday.

El director aceptó mis disculpas.

The director accepted my apologies.

Su única disculpa fue que tenía mucho trabajo.

His only excuse was that he had a lot of work.

How to Say 'To Apologize'

In Spanish, you don't 'give' an apology, you 'ask for' one. The most common way to say 'I apologize' is 'pido disculpas'. Think of it as asking the other person to forgive you.

Mixing up 'apology' and 'excuse'

Mistake: “Although 'disculpa' can mean 'excuse', it's more about a reason for a mistake. If you mean a flimsy excuse, 'pretexto' is often a better word.”

Correction: Use 'disculpa' for a sincere reason ('Mi disculpa es que el tren llegó tarde') and 'pretexto' for a weak excuse ('Puso el pretexto de que le dolía la cabeza').

perdonen

/pehr-DOH-nen//peɾˈdonen/

verbA2general
Use this to politely get the attention of a group of people or to apologize for a minor inconvenience.
A person standing with open palms and a gentle expression before a group of people who are smiling and reaching out to offer a hug.

Examples

Perdonen, ¿saben dónde está la estación?

Excuse me (everyone), do you know where the station is?

Perdonen la tardanza, había mucho tráfico.

Forgive the lateness (everyone), there was a lot of traffic.

Espero que me perdonen por lo que dije.

I hope they (or you all) forgive me for what I said.

Addressing a Group

Use 'perdonen' when you are speaking to two or more people. If you are only talking to one friend, use 'perdona' instead.

Two Roles for One Word

This form works as both a command ('Everyone, excuse me!') and in sentences about feelings ('I hope they forgive me').

Don't Mix Up 'Perdonan' and 'Perdonen'

Mistake: “Using 'perdonan' to ask for an excuse.”

Correction: Use 'perdonen'. 'Perdonan' (with an 'a') simply describes a fact, like 'They forgive easily.' 'Perdonen' (with an 'e') is the form used for requests and wishes.

disculpe

/dis-COOL-peh//dis'kulpe/

verbB1formal
Use this as a formal command to politely interrupt someone or ask them to overlook something.
A small figure holds up a tiny, clearly broken object to a larger, understanding figure, symbolizing the request to excuse or forgive a fault.

Examples

Por favor, disculpe mi ignorancia sobre el tema.

Please, excuse my ignorance on the subject.

Espero que me disculpe por la respuesta tardía.

I hope you'll forgive me for the late reply.

Le pido que disculpe a mi hijo por su comportamiento.

I ask that you excuse my son for his behavior.

A Command Form

'Disculpe' is the command form of 'disculpar' for 'usted' (the formal 'you'). It's a direct but polite way to ask someone to excuse something.

A Special Form for Wishes and Doubts

'Disculpe' is also a special verb form (called the present subjunctive) used after phrases that express wishes, doubts, or emotions, like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...) or 'No creo que...' (I don't think that...).

coartada

/ko-ar-TAH-dah//ko.aɾˈtaða/

nounB1general
Use this specifically for an alibi, a justification proving you were elsewhere when a crime or event occurred.
A cartoon character is shown relaxing happily in a bright red beach chair beneath a large green palm tree on a sunny yellow sand beach, visually proving their location.

Examples

El detective verificó la coartada del sospechoso.

The detective verified the suspect's alibi.

Necesitas una coartada sólida si quieres convencer al jefe.

You need a solid excuse if you want to convince the boss.

Su coartada era que estaba durmiendo en casa de su abuela.

His alibi was that he was sleeping at his grandmother's house.

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in '-a', remember that 'coartada' is a feminine noun, so you always use 'la' or 'una' before it (e.g., 'la coartada').

Confusing 'Alibi' and 'Excuse'

Mistake: “Using 'coartada' only for minor excuses, when it often implies a formal defense (being literally elsewhere).”

Correction: Use 'excusa' for a simple reason why you are late. Reserve 'coartada' for a more formal, often fabricated, justification or a true alibi in a serious situation.

cuento

KWEN-toh/ˈkwen̪.t̪o/

nounB1informal
Use this for a made-up, often unbelievable, reason or fabrication to avoid responsibility.
A cartoon character standing awkwardly, attempting to hide a large, ridiculously fake object behind their back, symbolizing a lie.

Examples

¡Ese es un cuento muy viejo! No te creo nada.

That's a very old excuse! I don't believe anything you say.

Siempre viene con el mismo cuento de que el tráfico fue terrible.

He always comes up with the same story/excuse about the traffic being terrible.

No me vengas con cuentos, sé la verdad.

Don't give me any of your nonsense; I know the truth.

historia

/is-TO-rya//isˈto.ɾja/

nounB2informal
Use this to describe a long, elaborate, and highly unbelievable story or excuse someone is trying to pass off as true.
A person presenting a large, complicated, tangled knot of ropes as an explanation to a skeptical listener.

Examples

No me vengas con historias, sé que no hiciste la tarea.

Don't give me that story, I know you didn't do the homework.

Siempre que llega tarde, tiene una historia nueva.

Whenever he's late, he has a new story (excuse).

¡Déjate de historias y ayúdame!

Stop messing around and help me!

Confusing 'excusa' with 'disculpa'

Learners often confuse 'excusa' and 'disculpa'. Remember that 'excusa' is a general reason for a fault (like being late), while 'disculpa' implies an apology is needed for your behavior. Use 'disculpa' when you've done something wrong and need to apologize.

Related Translations

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