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How to Say "excuses" in Spanish

English → Spanish

excusas

ehx-KOO-sahs/eksˈkusas/

nounA1
Use this word for general reasons or justifications given for a failure, mistake, or inability to do something.
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.

cuentos

KWEHN-tohs/kwe̞n̪.t̪os/

nounB1informal
Use this informal term when someone is giving explanations that are unbelievable or sound like made-up stories.
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-gahs//ˈlaɾ.ɣas/

nounB1informal
Use this term to describe the act of giving someone the runaround or delaying a decision or task with vague responses.
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-nah/peɾˈðo.na/

verbA2
This word is the verb 'to forgive' and is not a direct translation for 'excuses' as a noun, but rather refers to the act of pardoning.
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.

Excusas vs. Cuentos

The most common mistake is using 'cuentos' when a simple, direct reason is given. Remember, 'cuentos' implies the explanation is unbelievable or a fabricated story, while 'excusas' covers any stated reason for not doing something.

Related Translations

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