Inklingo

How to Say "excuse" in Spanish

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

excusa🔊A1

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

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disculpa🔊A2

This word is best used when you are offering a reason or justification for something you did wrong, often implying an apology.

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perdonen🔊A2

Use this informal plural command form to get a group's attention politely or to apologize for a minor inconvenience.

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disculpe🔊B1

This is the formal command form used to politely interrupt someone or to ask them to overlook something.

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coartada🔊B1

This specifically refers to an alibi, a justification provided to prove you were elsewhere when a crime or event occurred.

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justificaciónB1

Use this when you need a formal term for a reason provided to explain or defend a mistake or an action.

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pretexto🔊B1

This term implies a reason used to justify an action or, more commonly, to avoid doing something you don't want to do.

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cuento🔊B1

Use this informal term for a made-up or unbelievable reason that someone offers as an excuse.

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historia🔊B2

This is used informally for a long, often unbelievable, story or explanation given to justify something.

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historieta🔊B2

Similar to 'historia', this informal term refers to a fabricated or elaborate tale used as an excuse.

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English → Spanish

excusa

eks-KOO-sahekˈsusa

nounA1general
Use this for a simple 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-pahdis'kulpa

nounA2general
This word is best used when you are offering a reason or justification for something you did wrong, often implying an apology.
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-nenpeɾˈdonen

verbA2informal
Use this informal plural command form to get a group's attention politely 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-pehdis'kulpe

verbB1formal
This is the formal command form used to politely interrupt someone or to 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-dahko.aɾˈtaða

nounB1general
This specifically refers to an alibi, a justification provided to prove 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.

justificación

nounB1formal
Use this when you need a formal term for a reason provided to explain or defend a mistake or an action.

Examples

No hay ninguna justificación para llegar tan tarde.

There is no justification for arriving so late.

pretexto

preh-TEKS-tohpɾeˈteksto

nounB1general
This term implies a reason used to justify an action or, more commonly, to avoid doing something you don't want to do.
A child hiding a broken vase behind their back while offering a single flower to their parent.

Examples

Siempre busca un pretexto para no ir al gimnasio.

He always looks for an excuse not to go to the gym.

Usó el tráfico como pretexto por llegar tarde.

He used the traffic as a pretext for arriving late.

No me vengas con pretextos; sé que no querías venir.

Don't come to me with excuses; I know you didn't want to come.

Using 'para' vs 'de' with pretexto

To say 'an excuse to [do something]', use 'pretexto PARA' + verb in its base form. To say 'under the pretext OF', use 'bajo el pretexto DE'.

Gender memory aid

Words ending in -o are almost always masculine. 'El pretexto' follows this rule, so use 'un' or 'el' before it.

False Friend: Texting

Mistake: “Thinking 'pretexto' refers to a text message.”

Correction: Use 'mensaje de texto' or 'texto' for messages. 'Pretexto' is only used for excuses.

Using the wrong verb

Mistake: “Saying 'hacer un pretexto' to mean making an excuse.”

Correction: In Spanish, we usually 'look for' (buscar) or 'put' (poner) a pretexto rather than 'making' one.

cuento

KWEN-tohˈkwen̪.t̪o

nounB1informal
Use this informal term for a made-up or unbelievable reason that someone offers as an excuse.
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-ryaisˈto.ɾja

nounB2informal
This is used informally for a long, often unbelievable, story or explanation given to justify something.
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!

historieta

ees-toh-ree-eh-tahistoˈɾjeta

nounB2informal
Similar to 'historia', this informal term refers to a fabricated or elaborate tale used as an excuse.
An elderly person sitting in a large chair telling a story to a group of listening children.

Examples

No me vengas con historietas; dime la verdad.

Don't come to me with these tales; tell me the truth.

El abuelo siempre cuenta la misma historieta de cuando era joven.

Grandpa always tells the same yarn about when he was young.

Es una historieta muy larga de contar ahora mismo.

It's a very long story to tell right now.

Diminutive Suffix

The '-eta' ending is a way to make 'historia' (story) sound smaller or less important, which is why it often means a 'short' or 'trivial' story.

Tone Warning

Mistake: “Using 'historieta' to describe a serious academic history.”

Correction: This sounds dismissive. Only use 'historieta' for fun comics or trivial personal anecdotes.

Choosing Between 'Excusa' and 'Disculpa'

Learners often confuse 'excusa' and 'disculpa'. Remember that 'excusa' is a general reason for a fault (e.g., 'mi excusa es que estaba enfermo'), while 'disculpa' is more about offering an apology or justification for wrongdoing (e.g., 'te pido disculpas por llegar tarde'). While related, 'disculpa' carries a stronger sense of seeking forgiveness.

Related Translations

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