You’re in a bustling Spanish market, you need to ask for directions, but the two people you want to ask are deep in conversation. What do you do? Standing there awkwardly isn't an option, but shouting "¡Oye!" is definitely too rude.
Navigating social situations and relationships in a new language can be tricky. Knowing how to interrupt politely is a superpower. It shows respect for the other person while still allowing you to get the information or say the thing you need to say.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential phrases and cultural tips you need to interrupt smoothly and politely in Spanish.
The 3 Magic Words: Perdón, Disculpa, Con Permiso
Before we dive into full sentences, let's master the three most common "excuse me" words. They seem similar, but they have slightly different jobs.
Key Differences
- Perdónpardon / excuse me: Your all-purpose tool. Use it to get someone's attention, to apologize for bumping into them, or to say "sorry" for a minor interruption. It's safe in almost any context.
- Disculpaexcuse me / Disculpeexcuse me (formal): Very similar to perdón and often interchangeable. It comes from the verb disculpar (to excuse). Use disculpa for informal "you" (tú) and disculpe for formal "you" (usted).
- Con Permisowith permission: This is for physical space. Use it when you need to get past someone in a crowd or leave a room. Think of it as "excuse me, coming through!" You wouldn't typically use this to interrupt a conversation.
Getting Someone's Attention
These are your go-to phrases for starting an interruption. They are gentle and signal that you have something to say.
Perdón...- A simple, effective classic.Disculpa...- The perfect informal starter.Disculpe...- The perfect formal starter for a boss, an elder, or a stranger.
What about Oye / Oiga? You'll hear these a lot, but be careful! They literally mean "Hey, listen!" and can sound a bit abrupt or even rude depending on your tone and the formal and informal registers of the situation.
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Joining a Conversation or Adding a Point
When you need to interject with your own thought or question, you need a slightly longer phrase. These acknowledge the interruption directly, which makes them very polite.
Informal (tú) Phrases
- Perdona que te interrumpa, pero...Sorry to interrupt you, but...: The textbook way to do it.
- Disculpa que te moleste...Sorry to bother you...: A soft way to begin, especially if you need a favor.
- Solo una cosita...Just one little thing...: Very friendly and colloquial, signals a quick comment.
Formal (usted) Phrases
Notice the verb and pronoun changes for formality. This is where your Spanish skills can really shine! Understanding the difference between informal and formal commands is a key step to sounding more natural.
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- Perdone que le interrumpa, pero...Pardon me for interrupting you, but...: Your best bet in any formal setting (work, with an official, etc.).
- Siento interrumpir...I'm sorry to interrupt...: A great, all-purpose formal phrase.
- Un momento, por favor...A moment, please...: Direct, but the
por favormakes it polite.
Test Your Knowledge!
Let's see what you've learned. Choose the best option for the scenario below.
You need to politely ask your professor a question while she is talking to another student. What is the most appropriate phrase to use?
Putting It Into Practice
Let's see these phrases in a real-life context.
Scenario 1: Informal (Ana is on the phone. Her friend Javier needs to ask her a quick question.)
Javier: Ana, disculpaexcuse me que te moleste, ¿sabes dónde están las llaves del coche? Ana: (to the phone) Un momentoone moment. (to Javier) Creo que están en la mesa de la cocina. Javier: ¡Gracias!
Scenario 2: Formal (In a business meeting. Señor López is presenting. Sra. Garcia needs to clarify a point.)
Sra. Garcia: Señor López, perdone que le interrumpapardon me for interrupting you, pero ¿podría repetir el dato del último trimestre? Señor López: Por supuesto, Sra. Garcia. El crecimiento fue del 5%.
Time for a little practice! Unscramble this common interruption phrase.
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
Beyond the Words: Tone Matters
Remember, how you say something is just as important as what you say. When interrupting:
- Use a gentle tone of voice.
- Make eye contact and offer a small smile.
- A slight raise of the hand can also signal your intention to speak.
Mastering the art of the polite interruption will make you a more confident and natural Spanish speaker. So go ahead, practice these phrases and jump into your next conversation! For more practice, try reading our short stories for A1 learners and see if you can spot these phrases in action.