How to Say "excuse me" in Spanish

When you say 'Disculpa' to get someone's attention, you're actually giving a friendly command: '(You) excuse me'. This form, 'disculpa', is for talking to one person you know well (the 'tú' form).

Use 'disculpe' when talking to someone you don't know, an older person, or in a professional setting (the 'usted' form). For friends, family, or people your age (the 'tú' form), you would say 'disculpa'.

This word is the 'tú' command form of 'perdonar' (to forgive). In Spanish, we often use the command form as a quick way to ask for attention.

Since this is the informal 'tú' form, only use 'perdona' when speaking to friends, family, or people your age. Use 'perdone' (the 'usted' form) when speaking formally.

'Perdone' is the polite command used when addressing someone formally (using 'usted'). Use 'perdona' only for close friends or family.

When used alone, 'Perdone' often implies 'Perdóneme' (Forgive me), but the word itself is usually enough to signal an apology or request.

Using '¡Oiga!' is a very common and neutral way to interrupt a formal conversation or approach a stranger without being rude. It directly addresses the person formally (usted).

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.

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

This word is a command telling a group of people ('ustedes' or 'you all') to listen. It is taken from a special verb form (the subjunctive) often used for wishes and commands.

When giving a command to a group using the 'ustedes' form, Spanish uses the form that normally goes with 'ellos/ellas' in the present subjunctive. In this case, it's the command form of the verb oír (to hear).