The Spanish words for I’m sorry are perdón, lo siento or disculpa, depending on the context. From minor blunders, like accidentally bumping someone, stepping on their shoe, apologizing for delays, or calling somebody’s attention to expressing sorrow about a dear one’s passing, different settings call for different expressions.
| Apologizing | Saying “excuse me” | Reacting to bad news |
|---|---|---|
| Perdón Sorry | Permiso Excuse me | Lamento tu pérdida I’m sorry for your loss |
| Lo siento I’m sorry | ¿Me permites? Would you excuse me? | No sabes cuánto lo siento I’m so terribly sorry |
| Te pido disculpas I apologize | Disculpa Excuse me | Lo lamento muchísimo I’m so sorry |
| Mil disculpas I’m really sorry | Con permiso Excuse me | ¡Qué pena! What a shame! |
How to say sorry in Spanish: apologizing
Several words and expressions exist in Spanish to apologize for something you have done. These need to fit the context (formal or informal), as well as whether the apology springs from a clumsy mistake or a major blunder.
1. Perdón / Sorry
This basic word is among the most frequent ways to say sorry for something you have done. It sounds light and carefree, and should not be used to apologize for something serious.
¿Te pisé? Perdón.
Did I step on your foot? Sorry about that.¡Uy, perdón! No vi que estabas detrás.
Oops, sorry! I didn’t notice you were behind.
2. Disculpa / Sorry
Another light and common way to apologize for minor things. Disculpe is used to address the formal “you” pronoun usted.
Debería haberte avisado. Disculpa.
I should have let you know. Sorry about that.Disculpe. No sabía que este asiento estaba ocupado.
I’m sorry. I didn’t know this seat was taken.
3. Lo siento / I’m sorry
This somewhat stronger expression can be used in all types of situations for saying sorry. The word mucho (very much) may be added for emphasis:
Lo siento. No te vi venir.
I’m sorry. I didn’t see you coming.No volverá a ocurrir. Lo siento mucho.
It won’t happen again. I’m sorry.
4. Te pido disculpas / I apologize
This expression is used in neutral and more formal settings to apologize for something quite serious. When addressing the usted pronoun, the expression changes to Le pido disculpas.
Te pido disculpas por tenerte esperando.
I apologize for keeping you waiting.Le pido disculpas por cualquier inconveniente causado.
I apologize for any inconveniences caused.
A similar expression with the same meaning is: te/le pido perdón. Other related expressions are: te debo una disculpa (I owe you an apology), por favor, acepta mis disculpas (please accept my apologies).
5. Perdóname / Forgive me
Perdóname (or perdóneme, for the usted pronoun) is a heartfelt way to say sorry. Though short and straightforward, it expresses the speaker’s true need for apologies. The words por favor (please) may be added for emphasis:
Perdóname. Debí pensar lo que decía.
I’m really sorry. I should have thought about what I said.No quise lastimarte. Por favor, perdóname.
I didn’t mean to hurt you. Please forgive me.
6. Mil perdones / I’m so sorry
While it literally translates as “a thousand apologies”, it is the Spanish equivalent for “so (very) sorry”. Even so, it is a casual expression used in neutral or informal settings.
Mil perdones por la demora.
I’m so sorry for the delay.El error fue todo mío. Mil perdones.
The mistake was all mine. So sorry about that.
Another expression with the same meaning is mil disculpas.
7. Disculpas de (todo) corazón / Sorry from the bottom of my heart
Literally translated as “heartfelt apologies”, this expression is reserved for situations that call for profound and heartfelt apologies for committing a major blunder. It may be introduced by the words te/le pido, and the word todo (all) may be added for emphasis:
Disculpas de corazón. ¿Podrás perdonarme?
I sincerely apologize. Will you forgive me?Estoy avergonzado. Te pido disculpas de todo corazón.
I’m embarrassed. I apologize from the bottom of my heart.
Important: To apologize for not understanding or hearing something and asking someone to repeat, the words ¿perdón?, ¿cómo?, ¿disculpa? are used, all of which mean “sorry?”. They usually precede the question: ¿Puedes repetirlo? (Can you repeat that?)
How to say “excuse me” in Spanish
The Spanish words perdón and disculpa are also used, among other expressions, in everyday contexts where the speaker wants to call the listener’s attention, like when calling a waiter or asking for directions in the street:
8. Disculpa / Excuse me
Disculpa is one of the most common ways in Spanish to call somebody’s attention, ask for permission to get past, introduce a request or interrupt someone, among other everyday situations. The more formal version disculpe, which addresses the formal usted, is used with older people and/or to mark social distance:
Disculpa, ¿tienes hora?
Excuse me, do you have the time?Disculpe, ¿me podría traer la carta, por favor?
Excuse me, could I have the menu, please?
Other words with the same meaning are: perdón, perdona, and perdone, the latter addressing the usted pronoun.
9. Con permiso / Excuse me
This polite expression is used to ask for permission, typically as the speaker enters a place or is getting past, and is a straightforward way of anticipating their move to the listener. It may also be used as the speaker stands up and leaves their seat at a table, as a polite yet casual way of excusing themselves:
Con permiso, ¿puedo entrar?
Excuse me, may I enter?Con permiso; regreso en un minuto.
Excuse me; I’ll be back in a minute.
Similar expressions reserved for formal contexts are: con su permiso and con vuestro permiso, which address the second singular and plural persons, respectively.
10. ¿Me permites? / Would you excuse me?
This is a polite and casual way to both ask for permission and offer to do something. It may also be used to have the right to speak in a discussion. The more formal version addressing the usted pronoun is ¿me permite?
¿Me permites? Quisiera agregar algo.
Would you excuse me? I’d like to add something.¿Me permite? Tome mi mano para bajar del automóvil.
May I? Take my hand to help you get out of the car.
How to say sorry in Spanish: showing sympathy
Several expressions may be used to show sympathy and react to bad news, depending on the context.
11. Lo lamento / I’m sorry
This is among the most common ways to feel sorry and express sympathy in Spanish. The contexts may range from trivial, unimportant situations, like losing a tennis match, to expressing condolences for somebody’s passing. A synonymous expression is lo siento.
Lo lamento. Mejor suerte para la próxima.
I’m sorry. Better luck next time.Lamento lo que ocurrió.
I’m sorry about what happened.
Important: When emphatic words like mucho (very much), tanto (so much), muchísimo (so very much) are added, the expression sounds much stronger, being reserved for serious situations such as expressing sorrow over somebody’s death: Lamento mucho tu pérdida. / I’m very sorry for your loss.
12. Lo siento mucho / I’m deeply sorry
This expression is reserved for very serious situations including somebody’s passing. It is a synonym of lo lamento mucho.
Lo siento mucho. Te acompaño en el sentimiento.
I’m very sorry. My heartfelt condolences.Siento mucho que hayas perdido el trabajo.
I'm very sorry that you lost your job.
13. No sabes cuánto lo lamento / I’m so terribly sorry
Probably the strongest expression to express heartfelt sympathy, it is reserved for expressing condolences and situations that are extremely serious. The shorter version is cuánto lo siento.
¡No sabes cuánto lo lamento! Esto fue realmente inesperado.
You have no idea how sorry I am. This was truly unexpected.¡Cuánto lo lamento! Puedes contar conmigo para lo que sea.
I’m so terribly sorry! You can count on me for anything you may need.
Related expressions with the same meaning are: no sabes cuánto lo siento and cuánto lo siento.
14. ¡Qué pena! / What a pity!
Usually found in casual contexts, this expression is typically used for light situations.
¡Qué pena que no puedas venir a cenar esta noche!
What a pity you can’t come over for dinner tonight!¿Perdiste el tren? ¡Qué pena!
You missed the train? What a pity!
Another expression with the same meaning is qué lastima.
15. Qué mal / What a shame
Used in very casual, informal situations, it is a light way of showing pity:
¡Qué mal! Espero que no llueva todo el tiempo la próxima vez.
What a shame! I hope it doesn't rain the whole time next time.¿Perdiste las llaves? Qué mal… Déjame ayudarte a buscarlas.
You lost your keys? What a shame… Let me help you look for them.
- Explore more: Condolences in Spanish
How to respond to “I’m sorry” in Spanish
The expressions used to respond to “I’m sorry” usually depend on how formal or informal the setting is, as well as on how serious the blunder is:
No es nada / Never mind
Used for minor things, like when somebody has accidentally kicked you under the table.
No te preocupes / Don’t worry
A casual way to reassure someone that everything is OK.
No hay (ningún) problema / No problem (at all)
An informal or neutral expression to reassure the listener.
No pasa nada / No worries
A cool, laid-back expression used in very informal contexts.
Olvídalo / Forget about that
A very casual way to tell someone that everything is OK.
Related articles:
- "Thank you" in Spanish
- "You’re welcome" in Spanish
- "Have a good day" in Spanish
- "How are you" in Spanish
- How to say "hi" in Spanish
- "Good night" in Spanish
References
- Oxford Spanish Dictionary, 3rd ed. (Oxford University Press, 2003), CD ROM.
- Wordreference.com, “sorry,” accessed August 30, 2024, https://www.wordreference.com/
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