A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing a polite person slightly raising one hand and bowing their head slightly while addressing a small group of three people who are looking at them expectantly, symbolizing asking for attention.

disculpen

dees-KOOL-pehn

VerbA1regular ar

Excuse me?When addressing a group formally or politely asking for attention.,Pardon me?Used to interrupt or apologize to multiple people.

Also:I apologize (plural, formal)?Used to express regret to a group.

Quick Reference

infinitivedisculpar

gerunddisculpando

past Participledisculpado

📝 In Action

Disculpen, ¿pueden decirme dónde está el metro?

Excuse me (all of you), can you tell me where the subway is?

Por favor, disculpen el retraso. Tuvimos un problema técnico.

Please, pardon the delay. We had a technical problem.

Espero que disculpen mi error. No volverá a pasar.

I hope you (all formal) excuse my mistake. It won't happen again.

Word Connections

Synonyms

perdonen (pardon (plural command))
permiso (excuse me (to pass))

Common Collocations

Disculpen la molestia – Excuse the inconvenience
Disculpen un momento – Excuse me for a moment

💡 Grammar Points

A Formal Plural Command

This word is the 'ustedes' form of the verb 'disculpar,' used when you are giving a formal command or making a polite request to a group of people.

Three Ways to Excuse

Remember the three main forms for asking for an excuse: 'Disculpa' (informal, one person), 'Disculpe' (formal, one person), and 'Disculpen' (formal, multiple people).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up formality

Mistake: "Using 'Disculpan' instead of 'Disculpen' when asking for attention."

Correction: The command form requires the special ending: 'Disculpen' is the correct command; 'Disculpan' is just 'they excuse' (Present Tense).

⭐ Usage Tips

Getting Attention

If you are in a store or a meeting and need to interrupt a group, '¡Disculpen!' is the most polite and natural way to get their attention.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/usteddisculpa

yodisculpo

túdisculpas

ellos/ellas/ustedesdisculpan

nosotrosdisculpamos

vosotrosdisculpáis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddisculpaba

yodisculpaba

túdisculpabas

ellos/ellas/ustedesdisculpaban

nosotrosdisculpábamos

vosotrosdisculpabais

preterite

él/ella/usteddisculpó

yodisculpé

túdisculpaste

ellos/ellas/ustedesdisculparon

nosotrosdisculpamos

vosotrosdisculpasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteddisculpe

yodisculpe

túdisculpes

ellos/ellas/ustedesdisculpen

nosotrosdisculpemos

vosotrosdisculpéis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddisculpara/disculpase

yodisculpara/disculpase

túdisculparas/disculpases

ellos/ellas/ustedesdisculparan/disculpasen

nosotrosdisculpáramos/disculpásemos

vosotrosdisculparais/disculpaseis

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: disculpen

Question 1 of 1

Which situation correctly uses the word 'disculpen'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

disculpa(apology / excuse (noun)) - noun

disculpar(to excuse / to pardon (infinitive)) - verb

disculpe(excuse me (formal singular command)) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'disculpen' and 'perdón'?

'Perdón' is a general noun meaning 'pardon' and is often used as a quick, informal apology or request to pass ('Perdón, ¿puedo pasar?'). 'Disculpen' is the conjugated verb command, specifically asking a group of people to excuse you, making it slightly more formal and targeted.

If I am addressing a mixed group of friends and strangers, should I use 'disculpen'?

Yes. When in doubt, always default to the more formal and polite plural 'disculpen' (or 'perdonen') when addressing a group, especially if strangers are involved. It is always safer.