Hi, I’m Kodak.
One of the first phrases many Spanish learners memorize is:
I’m sorry.
However, lo siento is only one of several ways to apologize in Spanish.
Depending on the situation, a Spanish speaker may use:
- lo siento,
- perdón,
- perdona,
- perdóname,
- disculpa,
- disculpe,
- mis disculpas, or
- te pido perdón.
The correct expression depends on more than how “serious” the apology is.
You also need to consider:
- whether you caused emotional harm,
- whether the mistake was small and accidental,
- whether you are interrupting someone,
- whether you are addressing the listener as tú or usted,
- whether you are asking for forgiveness, and
- whether “I’m sorry” actually expresses sympathy rather than an apology.
This article explains the complete system and helps you choose a natural expression for each situation.
Isn’t lo siento simply the Spanish translation of “I’m sorry”?
It is one important translation, but English “sorry” performs several different functions.
Spanish often uses a different expression for regret, forgiveness, interruption, sympathy, or a small social mistake.
- 1 How to Say Sorry in Spanish: The Quick Answer
- 2 Choose the Apology by Asking What Happened
- 3 How to Pronounce the Main Spanish Apology Expressions
- 4 Lo Siento: The Most Common Way to Say “I’m Sorry”
- 5 Perdón: Sorry, Excuse Me, and Pardon?
- 6 Perdóname: How to Say “Forgive Me” in Spanish
- 7 Disculpa vs. Disculpe: Informal and Formal “Excuse Me”
- 8 Con Permiso: “Excuse Me” When You Want to Pass
- 9 Formal Ways to Apologize in Spanish
- 10 Casual Ways to Say Sorry in Spanish
- 11 Which Spanish Apology Should You Use?
- 11.1 Situation 1: You Accidentally Bump into Someone
- 11.2 Situation 2: You Arrive a Few Minutes Late
- 11.3 Situation 3: You Arrive an Hour Late
- 11.4 Situation 4: You Hurt a Friend’s Feelings
- 11.5 Situation 5: You Ask a Stranger for Directions
- 11.6 Situation 6: You Did Not Hear Someone
- 11.7 Situation 7: Someone Tells You Bad News
- 11.8 Situation 8: A Company Caused an Inconvenience
- 12 How to Build a Sincere Apology in Spanish
- 13 Useful Grammar Patterns for Spanish Apologies
- 14 Be Careful with “I’m Sorry If…”
- 15 How to Respond When Someone Apologizes in Spanish
- 16 How to Respond to a Serious Apology
- 17 Tú, Usted, Vos, Vosotros, and Ustedes
- 18 Common Mistakes When Apologizing in Spanish
- 18.1 Mistake 1: Translating Every “Sorry” as Lo Siento
- 18.2 Mistake 2: Confusing Perdón and Perdóname
- 18.3 Mistake 3: Mixing Tú and Usted
- 18.4 Mistake 4: Using De Nada After an Apology
- 18.5 Mistake 5: Treating a Serious Apology Like a Small Accident
- 18.6 Mistake 6: Explaining Without Accepting Responsibility
- 18.7 Mistake 7: Demanding Forgiveness
- 18.8 Mistake 8: Saying No Pasa Nada When the Harm Matters
- 19 The Origins Behind Spanish Apology Expressions
- 20 Spanish Apology Article Guide
- 21 Frequently Asked Questions
- 21.1 How do you say “sorry” in Spanish?
- 21.2 How do you say “I’m sorry” in Spanish?
- 21.3 What is the difference between lo siento and perdón?
- 21.4 What is the difference between perdón and perdóname?
- 21.5 What is the difference between disculpa and disculpe?
- 21.6 How do you formally say sorry in Spanish?
- 21.7 How do you say “excuse me” in Spanish?
- 21.8 How do you say “forgive me” in Spanish?
- 21.9 Can lo siento express sympathy?
- 21.10 How do you respond to lo siento?
- 21.11 Can I respond to an apology with de nada?
- 21.12 What should I say if I am not ready to forgive?
- 22 How to Say Sorry in Spanish: Summary
How to Say Sorry in Spanish: The Quick Answer
For beginners, the most useful starting point is:
Lo siento.
I’m sorry.
Use it to express regret, emotional sorrow, or sympathy.
Perdón.
Sorry. / Excuse me. / Pardon?
Use it for small mistakes, accidental contact, interruptions, and requests for repetition.
Perdóname.
Forgive me.
Use it to ask someone directly for personal forgiveness.
Disculpa.
Excuse me. / Sorry.
Use it with one person whom you address as tú.
Disculpe.
Excuse me. / Sorry.
Use it respectfully with one person whom you address as usted.
A simple memory rule is:
| Expression | Core image | Typical situation |
|---|---|---|
| Lo siento | I feel regret or sorrow | Emotional apology or sympathy |
| Perdón | Pardon this small fault | Quick apology, interruption, repetition |
| Perdóname | Forgive me personally | Broken trust or personal harm |
| Disculpa | Excuse this action | Informal attention, interruption, inconvenience |
| Disculpe | Please excuse this action | Respectful attention, interruption, inconvenience |
Which one should I memorize first?
Start with lo siento, perdón, and disculpe.
Those three cover emotional regret, quick apologies, and respectful “excuse me” situations.
Choose the Apology by Asking What Happened
Rather than translating the English word “sorry,” identify the purpose of the expression.
Use lo siento and give a complete apology.
Did you make a small accidental mistake?
Use perdón.
Are you asking for personal forgiveness?
Use perdóname or perdóneme.
Are you getting someone’s attention?
Use disculpa or disculpe.
Are you asking to pass through a crowd?
Use con permiso.
Are you expressing sympathy about bad news?
Use lo siento or lo siento mucho.
This situation-based approach is much more reliable than memorizing one universal translation.
So the English sentence “I’m sorry” could have several Spanish translations?
Exactly.
You should translate the communicative purpose: regret, sympathy, forgiveness, interruption, or courtesy.
How to Pronounce the Main Spanish Apology Expressions
| Expression | Approximate pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| lo siento | loh SYEN-toh | I’m sorry |
| perdón | pehr-DOHN | Sorry; pardon |
| perdóname | pehr-DOH-nah-meh | Forgive me |
| disculpa | dees-KOOL-pah | Excuse me, informal |
| disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh | Excuse me, respectful |
Pay particular attention to the written accent marks in perdón and perdóname.
The stress falls on:
per-DÓ-na-me
Will people understand me if I forget the accent marks in a message?
They will often understand from context, but the standard spellings are perdón and perdóname.
Accent marks are part of correct Spanish spelling, not optional decorations.
Lo Siento: The Most Common Way to Say “I’m Sorry”
Lo siento is the best-known Spanish apology.
It comes from the verb sentir, which can mean “to feel,” “to perceive,” or “to regret.”
it or what happened
siento
I feel or regret
lo siento
I regret it / I’m sorry
Use Lo Siento for Emotional Regret
Lo siento. No quería hacerte daño.
I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.
Lo siento por lo que dije.
I’m sorry about what I said.
Use Lo Siento Mucho for a Stronger Apology
Lo siento mucho por haberte decepcionado.
I’m very sorry for disappointing you.
Use Lo Siento to Express Sympathy
Lo siento can also respond to bad news even when you did nothing wrong.
A: Perdí mi trabajo ayer.
I lost my job yesterday.B: Lo siento mucho.
I’m so sorry.
Here, the speaker is showing sympathy rather than requesting forgiveness.
For a detailed comparison of the three central apology words, read:
If someone tells me that a relative died, should I say perdón?
Lo siento or lo siento mucho is much more natural.
You are expressing sorrow about their experience, not asking them to forgive you.
Should I use lo siento mucho whenever I make a tiny mistake?
You can, but it may sound heavier than the situation requires.
For stepping on someone’s shoe or briefly blocking a doorway, perdón is usually more efficient.
Perdón: Sorry, Excuse Me, and Pardon?
Perdón is a noun related to perdonar, “to forgive.”
In conversation, it is frequently used as a short courtesy formula.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
Pardon me.
¿Perdón?
Sorry?
Pardon?
Could you repeat that?
Use Perdón After a Small Accident
¡Perdón! No te vi.
Sorry! I didn’t see you.
Use Perdón Before Interrupting
Perdón por interrumpir, pero necesito hablar contigo.
Sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you.
Use ¿Perdón? to Ask for Repetition
A: La cita es a las siete y cuarto.
The appointment is at 7:15.B: ¿Perdón?
Sorry?
A major advantage of perdón is that it does not require you to choose between tú and usted.
Can perdón work with both friends and strangers?
Yes. A standalone perdón does not mark the listener as tú or usted.
That makes it a flexible expression for quick everyday apologies.
Can I use ¿lo siento? when I did not hear someone?
No. ¿Lo siento? does not normally ask the speaker to repeat something.
Use ¿perdón? or a complete question such as ¿puede repetirlo?
Perdóname: How to Say “Forgive Me” in Spanish
Perdóname means “forgive me.”
It consists of:
forgive, the affirmative tú command
+
me
me
↓
perdóname
forgive me
Because it explicitly identifies the speaker as the person seeking forgiveness, perdóname often feels more personal than a standalone perdón.
Perdóname por haberte mentido.
Forgive me for lying to you.
Sé que te hice daño. Perdóname.
I know I hurt you. Forgive me.
Perdona vs. Perdóname
Forgive, excuse me, or sorry.
The object may be understood from context.
Perdóname.
Forgive me.
The speaker explicitly requests personal forgiveness.
For a complete explanation of its grammar, spelling, pronunciation, and regional forms, read:
Is perdóname always more sincere than lo siento?
No single word guarantees sincerity.
Lo siento expresses regret, while perdóname asks for forgiveness. A complete apology may use both.
Can I say lo siento, perdóname?
Yes.
Lo siento tells the listener that you regret the harm, while perdóname asks them to forgive you.
Disculpa vs. Disculpe: Informal and Formal “Excuse Me”
Disculpa and disculpe come from the verb disculpar, “to excuse.”
The main distinction is the form of address:
Informal singular command used with tú.
Disculpe
Respectful singular command used with usted.
Disculpa with Tú
Disculpa, ¿puedo preguntarte algo?
Excuse me, can I ask you something?
Disculpe with Usted
Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar?
Excuse me, can you help me?
Notice that the rest of the sentence should normally follow the same system:
Disculpa, ¿puedes ayudarme?
Respectful:
Disculpe, ¿puede ayudarme?
You can use these expressions to:
- get someone’s attention,
- ask a question,
- interrupt politely,
- acknowledge an inconvenience, or
- apologize for a small mistake.
For a detailed guide to formal “excuse me” expressions, read:
Is disculpa rude because it is informal?
No. Informal does not automatically mean impolite.
Disculpa is courteous when tú is appropriate for the relationship and local culture.
Which form is safest when asking an unfamiliar adult for directions?
Disculpe is a useful respectful default.
Local customs differ, but it clearly signals courteous usted address.
Con Permiso: “Excuse Me” When You Want to Pass
Not every English “excuse me” is an apology.
When you want someone to let you pass, use:
Excuse me.
With your permission.
May I pass?
Con permiso, tengo que bajar en la próxima parada.
Excuse me, I need to get off at the next stop.
You may also hear the shortened form:
Permiso, por favor.
Excuse me, please.
A useful distinction is:
Con permiso.
After accidentally bumping into someone:
Perdón.
Disculpe.
Will disculpe be wrong if I use it on a crowded train?
People will understand you.
However, con permiso more directly communicates that you are requesting space to pass.
Formal Ways to Apologize in Spanish
A formal apology often uses a complete sentence rather than a one-word expression.
Le Pido Disculpas por…
Le pido disculpas por la demora.
I apologize to you for the delay.
Le refers respectfully to the person receiving the apology.
Mis Disculpas por…
Mis disculpas por la confusión.
My apologies for the confusion.
Lamento…
Lamento el inconveniente.
I regret the inconvenience.
Lamentamos informarle de que el evento ha sido cancelado.
We regret to inform you that the event has been canceled.
Sentimos las Molestias
Sentimos las molestias ocasionadas.
We apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Rogamos Disculpen…
Rogamos disculpen la interrupción del servicio.
We apologize for the interruption of the service.
Le pido disculpas por + noun or infinitive
Mis disculpas por + noun or infinitive
Lamento + noun or clause
Sentimos + noun or infinitive
Rogamos disculpen + noun
Is lo siento too informal for a business email?
It is not prohibited, but a business message often sounds more precise with le pido disculpas, lamentamos, or sentimos las molestias.
Name the specific delay, error, or inconvenience rather than relying on one short expression.
Casual Ways to Say Sorry in Spanish
For friends and small everyday problems, useful expressions include:
Sorry.
Perdona.
Sorry. / Excuse me.
Disculpa.
Sorry. / Excuse me.
Lo siento.
I’m sorry.
Fue culpa mía.
It was my fault.
Me equivoqué.
I made a mistake.
No quería hacerlo.
I didn’t mean to do it.
A Small Mistake Between Friends
Perdona, me equivoqué de hora.
Sorry, I got the time wrong.
Admitting Responsibility
Lo siento. Fue culpa mía.
I’m sorry. It was my fault.
Explaining Lack of Intention
Perdón, no quería molestarte.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to bother you.
Does casual language mean I do not need to take responsibility?
No. Casual and insincere are different concepts.
Even with a friend, saying fue culpa mía or naming the mistake can make the apology clearer.
Which Spanish Apology Should You Use?
Situation 1: You Accidentally Bump into Someone
Sorry.
Disculpe.
Sorry, respectful.
A brief immediate apology is normally sufficient.
Situation 2: You Arrive a Few Minutes Late
Sorry for arriving late.
Disculpa por el retraso.
Sorry about the delay.
Situation 3: You Arrive an Hour Late
I’m very sorry for arriving so late. It was my fault.
The consequences make a fuller apology more appropriate.
Situation 4: You Hurt a Friend’s Feelings
I’m sorry for what I said. It was unfair. Forgive me.
Situation 5: You Ask a Stranger for Directions
Excuse me, do you know where the station is?
Situation 6: You Did Not Hear Someone
Pardon?
Disculpe, ¿puede repetirlo?
Excuse me, can you repeat that?
Situation 7: Someone Tells You Bad News
I’m so sorry.
Situation 8: A Company Caused an Inconvenience
We apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Is the seriousness of the mistake the only factor?
No. You must also consider the type of harm and your purpose.
A minor question may need respectful disculpe, while emotionally painful news may need lo siento even though you caused nothing.
How to Build a Sincere Apology in Spanish
A serious apology usually requires more than saying lo siento.
A useful structure is:
Lo siento mucho.
2. Name the action
No debí mentirte.
3. Accept responsibility
Fue culpa mía.
4. Recognize the effect
Sé que dañé tu confianza.
5. Request forgiveness if appropriate
Perdóname.
6. Offer repair or change
Voy a hacer todo lo posible para arreglarlo.
A complete apology might be:
Lo siento mucho. No debí contárselo a nadie. Fue culpa mía y sé que dañé tu confianza. Perdóname. Entenderé si necesitas tiempo, pero quiero hacer todo lo posible para reparar el daño.
I’m very sorry. I should not have told anyone. It was my fault, and I know I damaged your trust. Forgive me. I will understand if you need time, but I want to do everything possible to repair the harm.
This apology:
- identifies the action,
- avoids shifting blame,
- recognizes the listener’s experience,
- requests rather than demands forgiveness, and
- offers future change.
Can I make an apology stronger by repeating lo siento many times?
Repetition can add emotion, but it does not replace responsibility.
Naming what you did and explaining how you will repair it usually communicates more than repeating one phrase.
Does asking someone to forgive me pressure them?
It can if you demand an immediate answer.
You can add entiendo si necesitas tiempo, “I understand if you need time,” to respect the listener’s decision.
Useful Grammar Patterns for Spanish Apologies
Lo Siento por + Noun
Lo siento por el retraso.
I’m sorry about the delay.
Lo Siento por + Infinitive
Lo siento por llegar tarde.
I’m sorry for arriving late.
Perdón por + Noun or Infinitive
Perdón por el ruido.
Sorry about the noise.
Perdón por interrumpir.
Sorry for interrupting.
Perdóname por + Infinitive
Perdóname por mentirte.
Forgive me for lying to you.
Perdóname por Haber + Past Participle
Perdóname por haberte mentido.
Forgive me for having lied to you.
Disculpa or Disculpe + Noun
Disculpa la demora.
Sorry about the delay.
Disculpe las molestias.
Please excuse the inconvenience.
Disculpa or Disculpe que + Subjunctive
Disculpa que te interrumpa.
Sorry to interrupt you.
Disculpe que lo moleste.
Sorry to bother you.
Can I say lo siento de llegar tarde?
Use por in this pattern.
The natural sentence is lo siento por llegar tarde.
Be Careful with “I’m Sorry If…”
Spanish can use apology expressions with si:
Perdóname si te ofendí.
Forgive me if I offended you.
Lo siento si hubo un malentendido.
I’m sorry if there was a misunderstanding.
These structures are not always wrong.
However, when the harm is already clear, an “if” apology may sound as though you are questioning whether the other person was actually hurt.
Perdóname si te ofendí.
Forgive me if I offended you.
Clear responsibility:
Perdóname por haberte ofendido.
Forgive me for offending you.
When you know what happened, naming the action directly often produces a clearer apology.
Is every apology with si insincere?
No. Sometimes the speaker genuinely does not know whether an inconvenience occurred.
The problem appears when si is used to avoid recognizing harm that is already obvious.
How to Respond When Someone Apologizes in Spanish
For a small mistake, natural responses include:
It’s okay. / No problem.
No te preocupes.
Don’t worry.
Está bien.
It’s all right.
No hay problema.
No problem.
Todo bien.
Everything is fine.
No Pasa Nada
No pasa nada minimizes the event or its consequences.
A: Perdón por llegar cinco minutos tarde.
Sorry for arriving five minutes late.B: No pasa nada.
No problem.
No Te Preocupes
No te preocupes focuses on the apologizing person’s worry.
A: Lo siento. Espero no haberte causado problemas.
I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t cause you problems.B: No te preocupes. Ya está resuelto.
Don’t worry. It is already resolved.
You can also combine them:
No pasa nada, no te preocupes.
It’s okay; don’t worry.
For detailed guidance on apology responses, read:
Can I respond to lo siento with de nada?
Normally, no.
De nada responds to gracias. After an apology, use no pasa nada, no te preocupes, or another suitable response.
How to Respond to a Serious Apology
You do not have to say that everything is okay when it is not.
Useful responses include:
Thank you for apologizing.
Aprecio que lo reconozcas.
I appreciate you acknowledging it.
Acepto tus disculpas.
I accept your apology.
Necesito tiempo.
I need time.
Aprecio la disculpa, pero todavía estoy dolido / dolida.
I appreciate the apology, but I am still hurt.
Tenemos que hablar de cómo solucionarlo.
We need to talk about how to fix it.
No pasa nada may be inappropriate when something important really did happen.
You can acknowledge the apology without immediately forgiving the person or minimizing the consequences.
Is it rude to say that I need time?
No. It is often more honest than saying no pasa nada when the harm still matters.
You can thank the person for apologizing while making it clear that forgiveness is not immediate.
Tú, Usted, Vos, Vosotros, and Ustedes
Some apology expressions change according to the listener.
| Listener | Excuse me | Forgive me | Don’t worry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tú | disculpa | perdóname | no te preocupes |
| Vos | disculpá | perdoname | no te preocupés |
| Usted | disculpe | perdóneme | no se preocupe |
| Vosotros | disculpad | perdonadme | no os preocupéis |
| Ustedes | disculpen | perdónenme | no se preocupen |
Lo siento and the standalone noun perdón do not change according to the listener.
Regional customs determine when speakers choose tú, vos, or usted.
Do I need to learn every regional form before apologizing?
No. Learn the system used in the variety you are studying and recognize the others gradually.
For broad beginner use, lo siento and perdón are especially useful because they do not require a second-person pronoun choice.
Common Mistakes When Apologizing in Spanish
Mistake 1: Translating Every “Sorry” as Lo Siento
Lo siento.
Small accident:
Perdón.
Respectfully getting attention:
Disculpe.
Asking for repetition:
¿Perdón?
Requesting personal forgiveness:
Perdóname.
Mistake 2: Confusing Perdón and Perdóname
Perdón is a noun and courtesy formula.
Perdóname is a command plus me: “forgive me.”
Mistake 3: Mixing Tú and Usted
Disculpa, ¿puedes ayudarme?
Consistent respectful:
Disculpe, ¿puede ayudarme?
Mistake 4: Using De Nada After an Apology
De nada normally responds to thanks.
Use no pasa nada or no te preocupes after a small apology.
Mistake 5: Treating a Serious Apology Like a Small Accident
A one-word perdón may be insufficient after betrayal, serious damage, or repeated harmful behavior.
Mistake 6: Explaining Without Accepting Responsibility
Lo siento, pero tú también cometiste errores.
I’m sorry, but you also made mistakes.
Taking responsibility:
Lo siento por lo que hice. Fue culpa mía.
I’m sorry for what I did. It was my fault.
Mistake 7: Demanding Forgiveness
Perdóname requests forgiveness. It does not mean that the listener must forgive immediately.
Mistake 8: Saying No Pasa Nada When the Harm Matters
Do not minimize your own feelings or someone else’s experience merely because you know the phrase “it’s okay.”
What is the single biggest mistake learners make?
They translate the English word instead of reading the situation.
Ask what social job the expression needs to perform, and the Spanish choice becomes much clearer.
The Origins Behind Spanish Apology Expressions
Lo Siento and Sentir
Sentir comes from Latin sentīre, connected with perceiving and feeling.
The verb developed a meaning related to lamenting or considering something painful.
↓
to experience sorrow or regret
↓
lo siento
I regret it / I’m sorry
Perdón and Perdonar
Perdonar comes from Late Latin perdonāre, historically connected with giving or releasing completely.
↓
the harmed person releases it
↓
perdón
forgiveness or pardon
Disculpa and Culpa
Disculpa is connected with culpa, “fault” or “blame.”
separation or removal
+
culpa
fault or blame
↓
disculpa
an excuse, apology, or act that reduces blame
These origins create a useful memory system:
I feel regret.
Perdón
I seek pardon.
Disculpa
Please excuse the fault or inconvenience.
Spanish Apology Article Guide
Use the following articles to study each part of the apology system in more detail.
Lo Siento vs. Perdón vs. Disculpa: What Is the Difference?
Learn how regret, forgiveness, and social courtesy differ.
2. Directly asking for forgiveness
Perdóname Meaning in English: Perdona vs. Perdóname
Learn why perdóname means “forgive me” and how its grammar works.
3. Formal and informal “excuse me”
Disculpe vs. Disculpa: Formal Ways to Say “Excuse Me” in Spanish
Learn how tú, usted, and plural address change the expression.
4. Responding to an apology
No Pasa Nada Meaning: How to Respond to Lo Siento
Learn how to say “it’s okay,” “don’t worry,” and how to respond when the harm is serious.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say “sorry” in Spanish?
The most common general expression is lo siento. Depending on the situation, Spanish also uses perdón, perdóname, disculpa, and disculpe.
How do you say “I’m sorry” in Spanish?
Lo siento is the standard translation when expressing regret or sympathy. For stronger regret, use lo siento mucho.
What is the difference between lo siento and perdón?
Lo siento emphasizes regret or sorrow. Perdón is commonly used for small mistakes, interruptions, accidental contact, and requests for repetition.
What is the difference between perdón and perdóname?
Perdón is a noun used as a short courtesy formula. Perdóname is a command plus the pronoun me and directly means “forgive me.”
What is the difference between disculpa and disculpe?
Disculpa is used with one person addressed as tú. Disculpe is used respectfully with one person addressed as usted.
How do you formally say sorry in Spanish?
Useful formal expressions include le pido disculpas, mis disculpas, lamento…, and sentimos las molestias.
How do you say “excuse me” in Spanish?
Use disculpa informally and disculpe respectfully. Use con permiso when asking someone to let you pass. Use ¿perdón? when asking for repetition.
How do you say “forgive me” in Spanish?
Use perdóname with tú and perdóneme with usted.
Can lo siento express sympathy?
Yes. You can say lo siento or lo siento mucho after hearing about illness, death, job loss, disappointment, or other bad news.
How do you respond to lo siento?
After a small apology, use no pasa nada, no te preocupes, está bien, or no hay problema. When lo siento expresses sympathy, a simple gracias is usually more appropriate.
Can I respond to an apology with de nada?
Normally, no. De nada responds to gracias. It is not the standard response to an apology.
What should I say if I am not ready to forgive?
You can say gracias por disculparte, pero necesito tiempo, meaning “thank you for apologizing, but I need time.”
Which Spanish Apology Actually Fits?
Do not translate the English word “sorry.” Identify what you are actually doing first.
Regret and sorrow. Build a full apology around it.
Works with anyone. No tú/usted choice needed.
Explicitly asks to be forgiven, not just excused.
tú for informal, usted for respectful address.
Requests space to pass, not forgiveness.
Sympathy, not an apology for a fault.
※ A single word is rarely a complete apology for real harm: name the action, accept responsibility, and only then add perdóname if you are asking to be forgiven.
How to Say Sorry in Spanish: Summary
● Means “I’m sorry”
● Expresses regret, sorrow, or sympathy
● Stronger form: lo siento mucho
Perdón
● Means “sorry,” “excuse me,” or “pardon”
● Useful for small mistakes and interruptions
● ¿Perdón? asks for repetition
Perdóname
● Means “forgive me”
● Explicitly asks for personal forgiveness
● Respectful form: perdóneme
Disculpa and disculpe
● Mean “excuse me” or “sorry”
● Disculpa is used with tú
● Disculpe is used with usted
Con permiso
● Means “excuse me” when asking to pass
Responding to apologies
● No pasa nada — It’s okay
● No te preocupes — Don’t worry
● Gracias por disculparte — Thank you for apologizing
● Necesito tiempo — I need time
The key is not to memorize one Spanish translation for the English word “sorry.”
Ask what you are doing: expressing regret, showing sympathy, requesting forgiveness, interrupting, getting attention, or responding to an apology.
Once you identify that purpose, choosing the natural Spanish expression becomes much easier.
Lo Siento vs. Perdón vs. Disculpa
Perdóname Meaning in English
Disculpe vs. Disculpa
No Pasa Nada Meaning
