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A storybook illustration showing a person gently touching another person's back to ask them to move aside so they can pass in a narrow area.

discúlpame

dees-KOOL-pah-meh

Imperative Verb PhraseA1regular ar
Excuse me?When interrupting or asking to pass,I'm sorry?When apologizing informally
Also:Pardon me?Polite request for attention,Forgive me?Asking for personal forgiveness

Quick Reference

infinitivedisculpar
gerunddisculpando
past Participledisculpado

📝 In Action

Discúlpame, ¿puedes repetir eso?

A1

Excuse me, can you repeat that?

Llegué tarde, discúlpame.

A1

I arrived late, I'm sorry (forgive me).

Discúlpame, necesito pasar por ahí.

A2

Excuse me, I need to pass through there.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • perdóname (forgive me (informal))
  • lo siento (I'm sorry)
  • con permiso (with permission (to pass))

Common Collocations

  • Discúlpame por el retraso. – Forgive me for the delay.
  • ¿Me disculpas? – Will you excuse me? (asking permission to leave)

💡 Grammar Points

Verb + Pronoun Together

This phrase is a command (imperative) for the informal 'tú.' The little word 'me' (meaning 'me' or 'for me') is attached directly to the end of the verb 'disculpa'. When this happens, a written accent (tílde) is usually added to keep the original stress of the verb.

Informal vs. Formal Apology

This 'discúlpame' is used when speaking to friends or family (using 'tú'). If you need to apologize formally to a stranger or elder (using 'usted'), you must say 'Discúlpeme'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing the Pronoun Attachment

Mistake: "Me disculpa."

Correction: Discúlpame. In Spanish, when you give an affirmative command, the 'me' always gets attached to the end of the verb, not placed before it.

⭐ Usage Tips

A Versatile Phrase

Use 'discúlpame' not just for apologizing, but also as a polite way to interrupt someone or get their attention, similar to saying 'pardon me' in English.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: discúlpame

Question 1 of 1

If you accidentally bump into a stranger on the street, which phrase would be the most appropriate and polite choice?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

disculpar(to excuse, to forgive) - verb
disculpa(excuse (noun), apology) - noun
discúlpeme(Excuse me (formal)) - imperative verb phrase

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'discúlpame' and 'perdóname'?

'Discúlpame' (Excuse me) is generally used for minor apologies or interruptions. 'Perdóname' (Forgive me) is often reserved for more serious mistakes or deeper requests for forgiveness, though they are often interchangeable in casual speech.

Why does 'discúlpame' have an accent mark?

The accent mark is added to 'disculpa' when the pronoun 'me' is attached. It ensures that the stress stays on the third-to-last syllable (the 'u' in 'cúl'), which is where the stress falls in the original verb form 'disculpa'.