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disculparme

dees-kool-PAR-meh/dis.kulˈpaɾ.me/

“disculparme” means “to apologize” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to apologize, to say sorry

Also: to beg forgiveness
VerbA2regular ar
A small child standing next to an adult, holding a wilted flower and looking down remorsefully, symbolizing an apology.
infinitivedisculpar
gerunddisculpando
past Participledisculpado

📝 In Action

Quiero disculparme por el ruido que hice anoche.

A2

I want to apologize for the noise I made last night.

Ella se disculpó con su hermana después de la pelea.

B1

She apologized to her sister after the fight.

Si no me disculpo, se va a enojar mucho.

B2

If I don't apologize, he is going to get very angry.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pedir perdón (to ask for forgiveness)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • disculparse con alguien – to apologize to someone
  • disculparse por algo – to apologize for something

to excuse oneself

Also: to step away
VerbB1regular ar
A person politely raising one hand and slightly bowing their head near a table where two other people are seated and talking, signaling they need to excuse themselves.
infinitivedisculpar
gerunddisculpando
past Participledisculpado

📝 In Action

Voy a disculparme un momento, tengo que tomar una llamada urgente.

B1

I am going to excuse myself for a moment; I have to take an urgent call.

Disculparme, ¿puedo pasar?

A2

Excuse me (I need to excuse myself), may I pass?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • retirarme (to withdraw/retire)
  • pedir permiso (to ask permission)

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedse disculpa
yome disculpo
túte disculpas
ellos/ellas/ustedesse disculpan
nosotrosnos disculpamos
vosotrosos disculpáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedse disculpaba
yome disculpaba
túte disculpabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesse disculpaban
nosotrosnos disculpábamos
vosotrosos disculpabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedse disculpó
yome disculpé
túte disculpaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesse disculparon
nosotrosnos disculpamos
vosotrosos disculpasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedse disculpe
yome disculpe
túte disculpes
ellos/ellas/ustedesse disculpen
nosotrosnos disculpemos
vosotrosos disculpéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedse disculpara
yome disculpara
túte disculparas
ellos/ellas/ustedesse disculparan
nosotrosnos disculpáramos
vosotrosos disculparais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "disculparme" in Spanish:

to apologize→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: disculparme

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'disculparme' to mean 'I need to leave'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the Latin prefix 'dis-' (meaning 'apart' or 'away') combined with the noun 'culpa' (meaning 'fault' or 'blame'). So, the original meaning was literally 'to take the blame away' or 'to clear of fault.'

First recorded: 13th century (in Romance languages)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: desculpar-seItalian: discolparsi

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'disculpar' and 'disculparme'?

'Disculpar' is the base verb meaning 'to excuse' or 'to pardon' someone else (e.g., 'Disculpa mi error' - Excuse my error). 'Disculparme' is the reflexive form, meaning the action reflects back to you—you are excusing yourself or apologizing.

Is it rude to use 'Disculpa' instead of 'Disculpe'?

Not rude, but different levels of formality. 'Disculpa' uses the 'tú' form and is used with friends or family. 'Disculpe' uses the formal 'usted' form and is best used with strangers, elders, or professionals.