disculpa
“disculpa” means “apology” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
apology
Also: excuse, forgiveness
📝 In Action
Te debo una disculpa por mi comportamiento de ayer.
A2I owe you an apology for my behavior yesterday.
El director aceptó mis disculpas.
B1The director accepted my apologies.
Su única disculpa fue que tenía mucho trabajo.
B1His only excuse was that he had a lot of work.
Excuse me
Also: Sorry, Forgive
📝 In Action
Disculpa, ¿sabes dónde está la estación de metro?
A1Excuse me, do you know where the subway station is?
¡Uy, disculpa! No te vi.
A1Oops, sorry! I didn't see you.
Mi hermana siempre me disculpa cuando llego tarde.
B1My sister always forgives me when I arrive late.
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: disculpa
Question 1 of 2
You accidentally bump into a stranger on the street. What is the most natural thing to say?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin prefix 'dis-' (which can mean 'removal' or 'apart') and the Latin word 'culpa', meaning 'blame' or 'fault'. So, it literally means 'to remove blame'.
First recorded: Around the 13th century.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'disculpa', 'perdón', and 'con permiso'?
Think of it by situation. Use 'disculpa' to get someone's attention before you speak ('Disculpa, ¿tienes hora?'). Use 'perdón' after you've made a small mistake, like stepping on someone's foot. Use 'con permiso' before you need to get by someone in a physical space, like on a crowded bus.
Is it 'disculpa' or 'disculpe'?
It depends on who you're talking to! Use 'disculpa' with friends, family, or people your age (the informal 'tú'). Use 'disculpe' with strangers, older people, or in formal situations like at a bank or a doctor's office (the formal 'usted'). When in doubt, 'disculpe' is always a safe and polite choice.