Inklingo

How to Say "excuses" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “excuses” is “excusas” — use this general term when someone is providing reasons for not doing something or for a failure, and you are tired of hearing them.

English → Spanish

excusas

ehx-KOO-sahseksˈkusas

nounA1
Use this general term when someone is providing reasons for not doing something or for a failure, and you are tired of hearing them.
A small, cartoonish figure standing next to a task they clearly failed, like a poorly built stack of blocks. The figure is holding three different, flimsy objects (a feather, a twig, and a puff of smoke) in their hands, offering them as substitute explanations, symbolizing excuses.

Examples

No quiero escuchar más excusas, simplemente hazlo.

I don't want to hear any more excuses, just do it.

Siempre tiene una lista de excusas para llegar tarde.

He always has a list of excuses for arriving late.

Sus excusas no fueron muy convincentes para el jefe.

His excuses were not very convincing for the boss.

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').

Using 'Hacer' instead of 'Poner'

Mistake: “Hacer excusas”

Correction: Poner excusas. In Spanish, we typically 'put' or 'set forth' excuses, rather than 'make' them.

disculpas

dees-KOOL-pahsdisˈkulpas

nounB1
Use this when you are specifically referring to reasons given for a failure or mistake, and you are looking for solutions instead of more justifications.
A storybook illustration of a figure standing next to a half-finished simple task, like a stack of blocks, pointing dramatically at a tiny, harmless object, like a butterfly or a sleeping cat, implying it was the reason for failure.

Examples

Ya no quiero escuchar más disculpas; necesito soluciones.

I don't want to hear any more excuses; I need solutions.

Siempre tiene disculpas tontas para llegar tarde.

He always has silly excuses for being late.

Context is Key

When 'disculpas' is used in sentences implying avoidance or blame (especially with verbs like 'dar' or 'poner'), it usually means 'excuses' rather than 'apologies.'

cuentos

KWEHN-tohskwe̞n̪.t̪os

nounB1informal
Choose this when the 'excuses' sound like unbelievable stories or tall tales designed to deceive you.
A simplified person standing innocently, but clumsily hiding a large, obviously bright red, awkward object behind their back to represent a lie.

Examples

No me vengas con cuentos; sé que no estudiaste.

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

Todo lo que dice son cuentos para llamar la atención.

Everything he says is lies/nonsense just to get attention.

Idiomatic Use

When used in the sense of 'lies' or 'excuses,' 'cuentos' almost always appears in negative or skeptical contexts, often with verbs like 'venir' (come) or 'dejar' (stop).

Literal Translation Error

Mistake: “Translating '¡Qué cuentos!' as 'What stories!' when the speaker means 'What nonsense!'”

Correction: In these contexts, think 'lies' or 'excuses,' not literary works.

largas

LAR-gahsˈlaɾ.ɣas

nounB1informal
Use this when someone is deliberately delaying a decision or task, essentially giving you the runaround.
A small, frustrated character stuck in a large puddle of sticky, green mud, unable to step forward, illustrating a delay.

Examples

El banco siempre me da largas sobre el préstamo.

The bank always gives me the runaround about the loan.

Ella me pidió una cita, pero le di largas porque no estaba segura.

She asked me out on a date, but I stalled her because I wasn't sure.

No podemos seguir dándole largas al problema; hay que enfrentarlo.

We can't keep putting the problem off; we have to face it.

Fixed Phrase

This word is almost always used in the phrase 'dar largas,' which means to intentionally postpone or avoid giving a definite answer.

Using 'largas' alone

Mistake: “Me dio unas largas.”

Correction: Me dio largas. (The word 'largas' doesn't usually take an article like 'unas' in this specific idiomatic phrase.)

perdona

per-DOH-nahpeɾˈðo.na

verbA2
This is the verb 'to forgive' and is not used to mean 'excuses' in the sense of justifications or reasons given for failure.
An illustration of two children hugging warmly, symbolizing peace and reconciliation after a disagreement.

Examples

Ella siempre perdona los errores de su hijo.

She always forgives her son's mistakes.

Si usted me perdona, podemos seguir con la reunión.

If you pardon me, we can continue with the meeting.

Regular AR Verb

Since 'perdonar' ends in -ar, it is a regular verb. This means it follows the most common and predictable pattern for conjugating in all tenses, making it easy to memorize.

Confusing 'Excusas' and 'Disculpas'

Learners often confuse 'excusas' and 'disculpas'. While both can mean reasons for failure, 'excusas' is the most general and common term. Use 'disculpas' when you specifically want to emphasize that you're tired of hearing reasons for mistakes and want solutions instead.

Related Translations

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