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How to Say "to apologize" in Spanish

English → Spanish

disculparme

dees-kool-PAR-meh/dis.kulˈpaɾ.me/

verbA2general
Use this reflexive verb when you are personally expressing regret or asking for forgiveness for a specific mistake or wrongdoing you have committed.
A small child standing next to an adult, holding a wilted flower and looking down remorsefully, symbolizing an apology.

Examples

Quiero disculparme por el ruido que hice anoche.

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

Ella se disculpó con su hermana después de la pelea.

She apologized to her sister after the fight.

Si no me disculpo, se va a enojar mucho.

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

The Attached 'Me'

The 'me' means the action reflects back to the speaker. When using the infinitive form like 'disculparme,' the pronoun is always attached to the end.

Placement Rule

When the verb is conjugated (e.g., 'I apologize'), the 'me' moves to the front: 'Me disculpo.' When it follows another verb (e.g., 'I must apologize'), you have a choice: 'Debo disculparme' OR 'Me debo disculpar.'

Confusing 'Disculpar' and 'Disculparme'

Mistake: “Using 'Disculparme a mí' (literally 'to excuse me to myself').”

Correction: The 'me' already includes 'myself,' so simply say 'Disculparme' or 'Me disculpo.' Adding 'a mí' is redundant and unnecessary.

disculparte

/dees-kool-PAR-teh//diskulˈpaɾte/

verbA2general
This reflexive verb is used when telling someone else that they need to say they are sorry or ask for forgiveness for something they have done.
A person with a gentle expression handing a small bouquet of flowers to a friend who looks surprised and happy.

Examples

Tienes que disculparte con tu hermano.

You have to apologize to your brother.

Es importante disculparte cuando cometes un error.

It is important to apologize when you make a mistake.

No puedes irte sin disculparte.

You can't leave without excusing yourself.

The 'te' at the end

This word is a combination of 'disculpar' (to excuse) and 'te' (you). When you are the one doing the action to yourself—like apologizing—we stick the pronoun right onto the end of the action word.

Don't forget the 'te'

Mistake: “Using 'disculpar' when you mean 'apologize'.”

Correction: Say 'tienes que disculparte' (you have to apologize) instead of 'tienes que disculpar' (you have to forgive). Without the 'te', the sentence feels like it's missing a person to forgive!

excusarse

/ex-koo-SAR//eksuˈsaɾ/

verbB1general
Use the reflexive form 'excusarse' when you are offering a reason or explanation for a minor offense, like being late, often implying a request to be excused.
A kind adult smiling and patting the shoulder of a child who accidentally dropped a small bowl of fruit.

Examples

Por favor, excusa mi tardanza; había mucho tráfico.

Please excuse my lateness; there was a lot of traffic.

No trates de excusar su mal comportamiento.

Don't try to justify his bad behavior.

Él se excusó por no haber llamado antes.

He apologized for not having called sooner.

Using 'por' for reasons

When you want to say what you are apologizing for, use the word 'por' followed by the reason. For example: 'Me excuso por llegar tarde' (I apologize for arriving late).

Reflexive form for personal apologies

If you are the one apologizing, add 'se' to the end (excusarse). This tells the listener that you are acting on yourself to provide an explanation or apology.

Excusar vs. Perdonar

Mistake: “Using 'excusar' for serious crimes or sins.”

Correction: Use 'excusar' for social errors or manners. Use 'perdonar' for deep forgiveness or emotional hurt.

Direct Apology vs. Offering an Excuse

Learners often confuse 'disculparse' and 'excusarse'. Remember that 'disculparse' is a direct apology where you take responsibility. 'Excusarse' is more about providing a reason or explanation, often for a minor inconvenience, and asking to be excused rather than a full apology.

Related Translations

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