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scusa

excuse; apology

noun SKOO-zah Rare

Also means

pardon

Usage Note

Scusa is both a noun ('an excuse') and an informal apology — saying scusa alone is like 'sorry' to a friend, while the formal equivalent is scusi (subjunctive of scusare). The plural le scuse means 'apologies' in general ('fare le proprie scuse' = to make one's apologies). Don't confuse it with pretesto, which specifically implies a pretext or fabricated reason.

Examples

"Non accetto questa scusa."

Natural Translation

I don't accept this excuse.

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