How to Say Sorry in Spanish: 15+ Apologies for Every Situation
Quick Answer
The most common way to say sorry in Spanish is 'Lo siento' (loh see-EHN-toh), which literally means 'I feel it' and conveys genuine empathy. For lighter situations like bumping into someone, use 'Perdón' (pehr-DOHN). To get someone's attention or excuse yourself, say 'Disculpa' (dees-KOOL-pah). Each word carries a different emotional weight.
The Short Answer
The most common way to say sorry in Spanish is Lo siento (loh see-EHN-toh), which literally means "I feel it." Unlike English, where "sorry" covers everything from bumping into a stranger to delivering devastating news, Spanish splits apologies into distinct words that carry very different emotional weights.
Spanish has approximately 559 million speakers worldwide across 21 countries, according to Ethnologue's 2024 data. Across all of them, three core apology words form the foundation: Lo siento (deep empathy), Perdón (requesting forgiveness), and Disculpa (excusing yourself). Choosing the wrong one won't cause offense, but choosing the right one marks you as someone who truly understands the language.
"Politeness strategies in Spanish-speaking cultures are not merely linguistic decoration, they encode social relationships, power dynamics, and cultural values that vary significantly across the Hispanic world."
(Brown & Levinson, Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage, Cambridge University Press, 1987)
This guide covers 15+ Spanish apology expressions organized by intensity: light apologies, sincere apologies, formal apologies, and regional variations. Each includes pronunciation, an example sentence, and cultural context so you know exactly when to use it.
Quick Reference: Spanish Apologies at a Glance
Light Apologies and "Excuse Me"
These expressions cover everyday situations: getting someone's attention, squeezing past people, or apologizing for minor inconveniences. According to Fundéu RAE, the language advisory body linked to the Real Academia Española, these are among the most frequently used polite expressions in daily Spanish.
Perdón
/pehr-DOHN/
Literal meaning: Pardon / Forgiveness
“¡Perdón! No te vi. ¿Estás bien?”
Sorry! I didn't see you. Are you okay?
The all-purpose light apology. Use it when you bump into someone, accidentally interrupt, or need to squeeze past. Works in every Spanish-speaking country.
Perdón is the Swiss Army knife of Spanish apologies. It literally comes from the verb perdonar (to forgive), but in daily use it's far lighter than asking for actual forgiveness. You'll hear it dozens of times a day in any Spanish-speaking city: on crowded buses, in busy markets, and on narrow sidewalks.
The key distinction: Perdón requests something from the other person (their pardon), while Lo siento expresses your own feeling. This makes Perdón more transactional and less emotionally heavy.
Disculpa
/dees-KOOL-pah/
Literal meaning: Un-blame (remove blame)
“Disculpa, ¿sabes dónde está la estación de metro?”
Excuse me, do you know where the metro station is?
The go-to phrase for getting a stranger's attention politely. Use 'Disculpe' (dees-KOOL-peh) with the usted form for older people or formal situations.
Disculpa breaks down beautifully: dis- (un-/remove) + culpa (blame). You're literally asking someone to remove any blame. In practice, it functions like "excuse me" in English and is the standard way to approach a stranger with a question.
Switch to Disculpe (formal) when speaking to elderly people, authority figures, or in professional settings. In Argentina, you'll hear Disculpá with the distinctive voseo stress shift on the final syllable.
Con permiso
/kohn pehr-MEE-soh/
Literal meaning: With permission
“Con permiso, necesito pasar.”
Excuse me, I need to get through.
Specifically for physical movement: passing through a crowd, leaving a dinner table, entering someone's home. NOT for apologizing after bumping into someone, that's 'Perdón.'
Here's a distinction that trips up many learners: Con permiso is proactive (before the action), while Perdón is reactive (after). If you need to squeeze past someone in a crowded hallway, say Con permiso before you move. If you accidentally step on their foot, say Perdón after.
💡 Con permiso vs. Perdón. The Simple Rule
Before you pass through: Con permiso (asking permission). After you bump into someone: Perdón (asking forgiveness). Getting this right instantly signals fluency to native speakers.
Perdona
/pehr-DOH-nah/
Literal meaning: Forgive (informal command)
“Perdona que te moleste, pero ¿tienes hora?”
Sorry to bother you, but do you have the time?
Very common in Spain as an informal way to get someone's attention. Slightly warmer than 'Disculpa' because it directly addresses the person. In Latin America, 'Disculpa' is more common in this role.
Perdona is the informal imperative of perdonar. It's particularly popular in Spain, where you'll hear it constantly in cafés and shops. The formal version is Perdone (pehr-DOH-neh), used with usted.
Sincere Apologies
When something genuinely goes wrong (you forgot a commitment, hurt someone's feelings, or need to express condolence), these are the phrases that carry real emotional weight.
Lo siento
/loh see-EHN-toh/
Literal meaning: I feel it
“Lo siento, no debí haber dicho eso.”
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.
The most emotionally loaded apology in Spanish. The verb 'sentir' means 'to feel,' so you're literally saying 'I feel it', expressing empathy and shared pain, not just regret.
Lo siento is the apology that comes from the heart. Its etymology reveals everything: sentir means "to feel," so Lo siento literally translates as "I feel it." You're telling someone that their pain has become your pain. This is why it's also the phrase used to express condolences: Lo siento mucho (I'm very sorry) when someone loses a loved one.
Research by Moreno Fernández on Spanish language varieties confirms that Lo siento occupies the highest register of personal apology across all dialects, from Madrid to Buenos Aires to Mexico City.
Lo siento mucho
/loh see-EHN-toh MOO-choh/
Literal meaning: I feel it a lot
“Lo siento mucho por tu pérdida. Estoy aquí para lo que necesites.”
I'm very sorry for your loss. I'm here for whatever you need.
Used for expressing deep condolences or serious regret. Adding 'mucho' intensifies the empathy. You can also say 'Lo siento muchísimo' for even stronger emphasis.
Adding mucho (a lot) or muchísimo (very much) intensifies the apology. This is the standard phrase for condolences, serious mistakes, and moments when a simple Lo siento doesn't feel like enough.
Lo lamento
/loh lah-MEHN-toh/
Literal meaning: I lament it
“Lamento mucho lo ocurrido. Tomaremos medidas para que no se repita.”
I deeply regret what happened. We will take steps to ensure it doesn't happen again.
More formal and often used in professional or public contexts. Politicians and business leaders frequently use 'Lamentamos informarle...' (We regret to inform you...) in official communications.
Lo lamento shares the same emotional depth as Lo siento but carries a more formal, almost literary tone. You'll encounter it in official statements, corporate communications, and news broadcasts. The phrase Lamentamos informarle que... (We regret to inform you that...) is the standard opening for formal bad-news correspondence in Spanish.
Formal and Professional Apologies
In business meetings, official correspondence, or when speaking with authority figures, these expressions demonstrate both fluency and cultural awareness. For more on navigating formal registers, visit our Spanish learning hub.
Le ruego disculpas
/leh RWEH-goh dees-KOOL-pahs/
Literal meaning: I beg you apologies
“Le ruego disculpas por la demora en nuestra respuesta.”
I beg your pardon for the delay in our response.
Highly formal. Used in business correspondence, legal contexts, and when addressing people of significantly higher status. The verb 'rogar' (to beg/implore) signals deep respect.
This is the most formal apology in standard Spanish. The verb rogar (to beg, to implore) elevates the expression far above everyday language. You'll see it in formal emails, legal documents, and diplomatic communications. Using it in casual conversation would sound comically stiff.
Le pido perdón
/leh PEE-doh pehr-DOHN/
Literal meaning: I ask you for forgiveness
“Le pido perdón si mis palabras le causaron alguna molestia.”
I ask your forgiveness if my words caused you any discomfort.
Formal but less extreme than 'Le ruego disculpas.' Works in professional settings, with elders, or any situation calling for a respectful apology. Often used in public apologies.
A step below Le ruego disculpas but still firmly in formal territory. This is the apology of choice when a public figure addresses a controversy or when you need to apologize to a superior at work without sounding overly dramatic.
Le ofrezco mis disculpas
/leh oh-FREHS-koh mees dees-KOOL-pahs/
Literal meaning: I offer you my apologies
“Le ofrezco mis más sinceras disculpas en nombre de la empresa.”
I offer you my most sincere apologies on behalf of the company.
Corporate and institutional language. Common in customer service, official statements, and business correspondence. Adding 'más sinceras' (most sincere) is standard.
This is the corporate apology par excellence. Customer service representatives, corporate press releases, and institutional communications lean heavily on this formula. It's polished, professional, and intentionally impersonal.
Regional Variations
With Spanish spoken across 21 countries, apology customs and vocabulary vary significantly. These regional expressions will help you sound natural rather than textbook-trained.
¿Mande?
/MAHN-deh/
Literal meaning: Command (me)
“¿Mande? No le escuché bien.”
Pardon? I didn't hear you well.
Uniquely Mexican. Literally means 'command me', a remnant of colonial-era servant language that evolved into a polite way to say 'excuse me?' or 'what did you say?' Children in Mexico are taught to say '¿Mande?' instead of '¿Qué?'
¿Mande? is one of the most fascinating expressions in Mexican Spanish. Its origin traces back to the colonial period, when servants would respond to their employers' calls with Mande usted (Command me, sir/ma'am). Over centuries, it lost its subservient connotation and became simply the polite way to say "Pardon?" or "What did you say?" in Mexico.
Today, Mexican parents still correct children who say ¿Qué? (What?) with a firm "No se dice '¿Qué?', se dice '¿Mande?'" (Don't say "What?", say "Mande?"). Outside of Mexico, this expression is rarely used and may confuse speakers from other countries.
Disculpá
/dees-kool-PAH/
Literal meaning: Excuse (voseo form)
“Disculpá, ¿me pasás la sal?”
Excuse me, can you pass me the salt?
The Argentine and Uruguayan voseo form of 'Disculpa.' The stress shifts to the final syllable. Also used in parts of Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica).
In Argentina, Uruguay, and parts of Central America, the vos pronoun replaces tú, which shifts verb conjugations. Disculpa becomes Disculpá, with the accent jumping to the last syllable. If you're watching Argentine films or series, you'll hear this form constantly.
¿Cómo?
/KOH-moh/
Literal meaning: How?
“¿Cómo? ¿Podrías repetir eso, por favor?”
Sorry? Could you repeat that, please?
The polite alternative to '¿Qué?' when you didn't hear someone. Widely used across all Spanish-speaking countries. Less region-specific than '¿Mande?' and universally understood.
While ¿Mande? is specifically Mexican, ¿Cómo? serves the same function across the entire Spanish-speaking world. It's the polite way to ask someone to repeat themselves without the bluntness of ¿Qué? (What?).
🌍 Apology Culture: Spain vs. Latin America
Apology customs differ notably between Spain and Latin America. In Spain, apologies tend to be brief and pragmatic: a quick Perdona and life moves on. In Mexico, apologies are more elaborate and frequent; Mexicans often apologize even when they bear no fault, as a gesture of social harmony. In Colombia, warmth and effusiveness are expected, so a dry Perdón may feel insufficient. Understanding these cultural undercurrents matters as much as knowing the vocabulary itself.
How to Accept Apologies in Spanish
Knowing how to respond to an apology is just as important as knowing how to give one. Here are the most common responses.
| They Say | You Say | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Perdón / Disculpa | No pasa nada | It's nothing / No worries |
| Lo siento | No te preocupes | Don't worry about it |
| Lo siento mucho | Está bien, no es tu culpa | It's okay, it's not your fault |
| Le pido perdón (formal) | No se preocupe | Don't worry (formal) |
| Perdón (bumping into you) | Tranquilo/a | It's cool / No problem |
| Lo siento (condolences) | Gracias, lo aprecio | Thank you, I appreciate it |
The most universally useful response is No pasa nada (noh PAH-sah NAH-dah), which literally means "nothing happens," the Spanish equivalent of "no worries." It works in almost every situation where someone apologizes to you.
For casual situations, Tranquilo (trahn-KEE-loh) for men or Tranquila (trahn-KEE-lah) for women is warm and friendly. It essentially means "relax, it's fine."
🌍 The Art of Downplaying in Spanish
Spanish speakers have an entire vocabulary dedicated to minimizing offenses when accepting apologies: No es nada (It's nothing), No tiene importancia (It has no importance), Ni lo menciones (Don't even mention it). Using these signals not just linguistic competence but emotional intelligence. You're showing that the relationship matters more than the mistake.
Choosing the Right Apology: A Quick Guide
| Situation | Best Phrase | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bumping into someone | Perdón | Quick, reactive, no emotional weight |
| Getting someone's attention | Disculpa / Disculpe | Polite approach without implying fault |
| Passing through a crowd | Con permiso | Proactive, requesting physical space |
| Forgetting a commitment | Lo siento | Genuine empathy and regret |
| Hearing bad news | Lo siento mucho | Deep condolence and shared feeling |
| Business correspondence | Le ruego disculpas | Maximum formality and respect |
| Didn't hear someone (Mexico) | ¿Mande? | Polite Mexican convention |
| Didn't hear someone (universal) | ¿Cómo? | Works across all countries |
💡 The Golden Rule of Spanish Apologies
When in doubt, default to Perdón for minor things and Lo siento for anything with emotional weight. These two words alone will cover 90% of situations you'll encounter. As your fluency grows, layer in the regional and formal variants to sound more natural.
Practice With Real Spanish Content
Reading about apologies is a solid start, but hearing them used naturally in real conversations is what makes them stick. Spanish-language films and shows are packed with apology scenes: tense confrontations in La Casa de Papel, heartfelt moments in Roma, and rapid-fire Perdón exchanges on crowded streets in Club de Cuervos.
Wordy lets you watch Spanish movies and shows with interactive subtitles. Tap on any apology phrase to see its meaning, formality level, and cultural context in real time. Instead of memorizing phrases from a list, you absorb them from authentic conversations with real emotion and intonation.
For more Spanish content, explore our blog for guides on everything from the best movies for learning Spanish to greetings, farewells, and beyond. You can also visit our Spanish learning page to start practicing today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'lo siento' and 'perdón' in Spanish?
How do you say 'excuse me' in Spanish?
What does 'Mande' mean in Mexican Spanish?
How do you formally apologize in Spanish?
Are apology customs different in Spain vs. Latin America?
Sources & References
- Moreno Fernández, F. (2020). 'Variedades de la lengua española.' Routledge.
- Fundéu RAE — Recommendations on apologetic expressions in Spanish
- Ethnologue: Languages of the World — Spanish language entry (2024)
- Brown, P. & Levinson, S. (1987). 'Politeness: Some Universals in Language Usage.' Cambridge University Press.
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