You bump into someone on a crowded street. You need to ask a stranger for directions. You accidentally spill coffee on your friend's book. In English, a simple "sorry" or "excuse me" covers all these situations. But in Spanish, apologizing is a bit more nuanced.
You've probably heard lo sientoI'm sorry, perdónpardon/excuse me, and disculpaexcuse me. They all translate to "sorry," but they aren't always interchangeable. Using the right one depends entirely on the context.
Don't worry! By the end of this post, you'll understand the subtle differences and be able to apologize like a pro.
Lo Siento: For Serious Apologies and Condolences
Lo siento is the most heartfelt and serious way to say you're sorry. It literally translates to "I feel it," which tells you everything you need to know about its emotional weight. You use lo siento when you genuinely feel regret or sympathy for someone's situation.
Think of it as the heavyweight champion of apologies.
Use lo siento for:
- Expressing condolences: This is the go-to phrase when someone has suffered a loss or received bad news.
- Lo siento mucho por tu pérdida. (I'm very sorry for your loss.)
- Me enteré de tu accidente, lo siento mucho. (I heard about your accident, I'm so sorry.)
- Apologizing for a big mistake: If you've done something that has significant negative consequences,
lo sientois the right choice.- Lo siento, rompí tu jarrón favorito. Te compraré uno nuevo. (I'm sorry, I broke your favorite vase. I'll buy you a new one.)
- Delivering bad news:
- Lo siento, pero no pasaste el examen. (I'm sorry, but you didn't pass the examen.)
Use With Care!
Because lo siento carries so much emotional weight, using it for a minor issue (like bumping into someone) can sound overly dramatic or even sarcastic. Save it for when you truly mean it.
Perdón: The All-Purpose "Pardon Me"
Perdón is your versatile, everyday apology. It's the Spanish equivalent of "pardon me," "excuse me," or a casual "sorry." It comes from the verb perdonarto forgive, so you are literally asking for forgiveness for a minor inconvenience.
Use perdón for:
- Minor physical mistakes: This is perfect for when you accidentally bump into someone or step on their foot.
- ¡Uy, perdón! (Oops, sorry!)
- Getting someone's attention: Just like "pardon me" in English.
- Perdón, ¿me puede decir la hora? (Excuse me, can you tell me the time?)
- Interrupting a conversation:
- Perdón que te interrumpa, pero el jefe te necesita. (Sorry to interrupt you, but the boss needs you.)
- Asking someone to repeat themselves:
- ¿Perdón? No te oí bien. (Pardon? I didn't hear you well.)
You accidentally bump into someone in the supermarket. What do you say?
Disculpa: The Polite "Excuse Me"
Disculpa is very similar to perdón and they are often interchangeable. It comes from the verb disculpar (to excuse). The subtle difference is that disculpa is often used before you inconvenience someone, acting as a polite heads-up.
Think of it as "excuse me for what I'm about to do/ask."
Use disculpa for:
- Getting someone's attention (before asking something):
- Disculpa, ¿sabes dónde está la estación de metro? (Excuse me, do you know where the metro station is?)
- Navigating through a crowd:
- Disculpa, ¿me dejas pasar? (Excuse me, can I get through?)
- Acknowledging a minor mistake (like
perdón):- Disculpa la tardanza, había mucho tráfico. (Sorry for the delay, there was a lot of traffic.)
A Quick Note on Formality: Disculpa vs. Disculpe
Disculpa is the informal "tú" form, which you'd use with friends, family, or people your age. If you're speaking to an older person, a stranger in a formal context, or someone you want to show respect to (the "usted" form), you should use disculpe.
This distinction between formal and informal address is essential in Spanish. You can learn more about related concepts like direct object pronouns and formal commands in our grammar section.
Drag the handle to compare
This same rule applies to perdona (tú) and perdone (usted), though perdón on its own is neutral and works in any situation.
Putting It All Together
Let's see if you can unscramble this sentence to apologize for being late.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
Choosing the right word for "sorry" in Spanish is all about context and intensity.
Lo siento: For serious situations, deep regret, and condolences.Perdón: Your go-to for minor accidents and interruptions.Disculpa/Disculpe: The polite way to get attention or excuse yourself, often before the inconvenience happens.
Now you're ready to apologize with confidence, no matter the situation. If you want to see these apologies used in real-life scenarios, check out our Spanish stories! ¡Buena suerte!
