Inklingo

How to Say "pretext" in Spanish

English → Spanish

excusa

/eks-KOO-sah//ekˈsusa/

nounA1general
Use 'excusa' when referring to a reason given for an action or inaction that is not the true reason, often for a minor or everyday situation.
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'.

pantalla

/pan-TA-ya//panˈtaʎa/

nounC1formal
Use 'pantalla' when the pretext is a deliberate smokescreen or facade used to hide a more significant or manipulative motive.
A massive, thick cloud of swirling white and gray smoke completely obscuring a small structure behind it.

Examples

Su aparente humildad es solo una pantalla para manipular a la gente.

His apparent humility is just a facade (smokescreen) to manipulate people.

Los nuevos impuestos son una pantalla para encubrir la corrupción.

The new taxes are a smokescreen to cover up the corruption.

Figurative Extension

Think of this meaning as literally putting a 'screen' or 'shield' in front of the truth to hide it.

Excusa vs. Pantalla

Learners often use 'excusa' for situations that actually call for 'pantalla'. Remember that 'excusa' is for a simple, often weak, excuse, while 'pantalla' implies a more elaborate or deceptive cover for underlying actions.

Related Translations

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