scusa

Scusa is an Italian term used as an interjection and as a noun. As an informal interjection, it functions as a brief apology or a polite way to attract someone’s attention, equivalent to “sorry” or “excuse me” in English. It is commonly heard in casual conversation, for example: “Scusa, dove si trova la stazione?” meaning “Excuse me, where is the station?” In everyday speech, it is typically directed at someone you know.

In formal or plural contexts, different forms are used. To address a single person formally, speakers say “Mi scusi” or simply “Scusi.” To address more people or in a slightly less formal setting, “Scusate” is used. The construction “scusa” can also appear in longer phrases such as “scusa se ti disturbo” (“sorry to bother you”) or “scusa, non avevo tempo” (“sorry, I didn’t have time”).

Scusa also functions as a noun: la scusa, meaning an excuse or justification. It can refer to a real or perceived reason given to justify an action or to avoid blame, as in “Non è una scusa” (“That’s not an excuse”). The word encompasses both the act of apologizing and the idea of a rationale offered to explain something perceived as inappropriate or inconvenient.

Etymology traces scusa to the Italian verb scusare, meaning to excuse, itself forming from the Latin exḱūsāre (to excuse) through medieval and modern Italian development. The noun la scusa and the verb scusare share the same semantic root of justification or apology.