Inklingo

How to Say "pardon me" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “pardon me” is “disculpe” — use this when you need to politely get someone's attention or ask them to repeat something you didn't hear clearly, addressing one person formally..

disculpe🔊A1

Use this when you need to politely get someone's attention or ask them to repeat something you didn't hear clearly, addressing one person formally.

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perdónemeA1

Use this formal phrase when you accidentally bump into someone or need someone to repeat something, addressing one person.

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perdone🔊A1

This is a formal way to apologize or get someone's attention when addressing one person.

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discúlpeme🔊A1

Use this phrase to politely request repetition or clarification from one person, often in a slightly more formal context than 'discúlpame'.

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permiso🔊A1

Use this when you need to politely ask permission to pass or enter a space, signaling your intention before acting.

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perdona🔊A1

This is an informal way to say 'pardon me' when you need to get someone's attention or ask for a minor apology, used with people you know well.

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disculpen🔊A1

Use this when you need to interrupt or apologize to a group of people.

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discúlpame🔊A1

This is an informal way to ask someone you know for their attention or to repeat something.

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perdóname🔊A1

This is an informal way to ask for forgiveness or to get someone's attention when you need them to repeat something.

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English → Spanish

disculpe

/dis-COOL-peh//dis'kulpe/

InterjectionA1Formal
Use this when you need to politely get someone's attention or ask them to repeat something you didn't hear clearly, addressing one person formally.
A small blue character has accidentally bumped into a taller yellow character in a public space. The blue character raises one hand in a clear gesture of apology.

Examples

Disculpe, ¿me puede decir la hora?

Excuse me, can you tell me the time?

Disculpe, no entendí. ¿Puede repetirlo?

Pardon me, I didn't understand. Can you repeat that?

¡Ay, disculpe! Fue sin querer.

Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to.

Formal vs. Informal 'Excuse Me'

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'.

For Big vs. Small Apologies

Mistake: “Using 'disculpe' when you've made a serious mistake.”

Correction: 'Disculpe' is for small things. If you need to make a more serious apology, it's better to use 'lo siento' (I'm sorry) or 'perdón'.

perdóneme

Verbal PhraseA1Formal
Use this formal phrase when you accidentally bump into someone or need someone to repeat something, addressing one person.

Examples

Perdóneme, ¿puede decirme dónde está la estación de tren?

Excuse me, can you tell me where the train station is?

perdone

pehr-DOH-nay (Stress on the second syllable)/peɾˈðo.ne/

VerbA1Formal
This is a formal way to apologize or get someone's attention when addressing one person.
A person gently tapping the shoulder of a second person who is focused on reading, illustrating a polite interruption.

Examples

Perdone, ¿me puede decir la hora?

Excuse me, can you tell me the time?

Perdone la tardanza, el tráfico estuvo horrible.

Pardon the delay, the traffic was horrible.

Perdone, ¿no es usted el señor López?

Excuse me, aren't you Mr. Lopez?

Formal Command

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

Implicit 'Me'

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

discúlpeme

dee-SKOOL-peh-meh/disˈkulpe̯me/

Verbal PhraseA1Formal
Use this phrase to politely request repetition or clarification from one person, often in a slightly more formal context than 'discúlpame'.
A simple storybook illustration showing a person gently touching the shoulder of another person who is standing in their way, indicating a polite request to be allowed to pass through a crowded space.

Examples

Discúlpeme, ¿me podría decir dónde está el baño?

Excuse me, could you tell me where the restroom is?

Discúlpeme, creo que este es mi asiento.

Pardon me, I think this is my seat.

¡Ay! Discúlpeme, no lo vi.

Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you.

Command + Pronoun

This phrase is a command ('Disculpe') directed at a person ('me'). In Spanish, when you give an affirmative command, the small pronouns like 'me' attach directly to the end of the verb.

The Accent Mark

When you attach the pronoun, the original stress of the verb shifts. The accent mark (ú) is needed to keep the emphasis on the correct syllable (the 'u' in 'cúl').

Forgetting the Accent

Mistake: “Disculpeme”

Correction: Discúlpeme. Without the accent, the stress would fall incorrectly on the last syllable, changing how the word sounds.

Using the Wrong Formality

Mistake: “Discúlpame”

Correction: While 'Discúlpame' is correct for friends or family (tú), 'Discúlpeme' is the standard formal way (usted) used when addressing strangers or elders.

permiso

/per-MEE-soh//peɾˈmiso/

InterjectionA1Neutral
Use this when you need to politely ask permission to pass or enter a space, signaling your intention before acting.
A person gently placing a hand forward to politely request space to walk past two other people who are blocking a narrow path.

Examples

Permiso, ¿puedo pasar?

Excuse me, may I pass?

¡Permiso! El tren va a cerrar las puertas.

Excuse me! The train is about to close its doors.

Permiso, señora, se le cayó la cartera.

Pardon me, ma'am, you dropped your wallet.

perdona

per-DOH-nah/peɾˈðo.na/

InterjectionA1Informal
This is an informal way to say 'pardon me' when you need to get someone's attention or ask for a minor apology, used with people you know well.
A colorful illustration showing a boy politely tapping a girl on the shoulder to get her attention in a simple, brightly lit setting.

Examples

Perdona, ¿sabes dónde está el baño?

Excuse me, do you know where the bathroom is?

¡Uy, perdona! No te vi.

Whoops, sorry! I didn't see you.

A Command Form

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.

Informal vs. Formal

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.

Using 'Perdona' Formally

Mistake: “Perdona, señor, ¿cuánto cuesta esto?”

Correction: Perdone, señor, ¿cuánto cuesta esto? (Use the formal 'perdone' when addressing strangers or elders respectfully.)

disculpen

/dees-KOOL-pehn//disˈkulpen/

VerbA1Neutral/Formal
Use this when you need to interrupt or apologize to a group of people.
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.

Examples

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.

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).

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).

discúlpame

dees-KOOL-pah-meh/disˈkul.pa.me/

Imperative Verb PhraseA1Informal
This is an informal way to ask someone you know for their attention or to repeat something.
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.

Examples

Discúlpame, ¿puedes repetir eso?

Excuse me, can you repeat that?

Llegué tarde, discúlpame.

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

Discúlpame, necesito pasar por ahí.

Excuse me, I need to pass through there.

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'.

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.

perdóname

per-DOH-nah-meh/peɾˈðonaˌme/

VerbA1Informal
This is an informal way to ask for forgiveness or to get someone's attention when you need them to repeat something.
A simple, colorful storybook illustration showing one cartoon character kneeling slightly and offering a single daisy to another character who is looking down but starting to smile, symbolizing a request for forgiveness.

Examples

Perdóname, no fue mi intención romper tu juguete.

Forgive me, it wasn't my intention to break your toy.

¡Perdóname! No vi que estabas ahí.

Pardon me! I didn't see you were there.

Necesito hablar contigo. Perdóname por llamarte tan tarde.

I need to talk to you. Forgive me for calling you so late.

The Command Form

This word is the informal 'tú' command form of the verb 'perdonar' (to forgive). It's used when you are directly telling someone you know well to forgive you.

Attaching the Pronoun

In Spanish affirmative commands (telling someone to do something), the little word 'me' (meaning 'me') must be attached directly to the end of the verb.

The Necessary Accent

When you attach the 'me' to the end of a two-syllable command like 'perdona,' the original stress moves, so you must add an accent mark (perdóname) to make sure you keep stressing the 'o'.

Separating the Words

Mistake: “Perdona me”

Correction: Perdóname. Always attach 'me' to the end of a positive command like this.

Missing the Accent

Mistake: “Perdoname”

Correction: Perdóname. Without the accent, the stress falls incorrectly on the third-to-last syllable, making it sound strange.

Formality and Plurality Confusion

The most common mistake is confusing the formal 'usted' forms (disculpe, perdone, discúlpeme, perdóneme) with the informal 'tú' forms (perdona, discúlpame). Also, remember to use 'disculpen' when addressing multiple people, even if you would use a singular form with just one of them.

Related Translations

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