Hi, I’m Kodak.
Learning how to say “sorry” in Spanish seems simple at first.
You look up the English word “sorry” and find several Spanish expressions:
perdón
disculpa
Unfortunately, they are not completely interchangeable.
The expression you choose can change depending on whether you:
- hurt someone emotionally,
- made a small accidental mistake,
- want to interrupt someone,
- did not hear what someone said,
- need to get a stranger’s attention, or
- want to express sympathy about bad news.
That may sound complicated, but the basic difference becomes much easier when you connect each expression with its core image.
I learned that lo siento, perdón, and disculpa all mean “sorry.”
Can I use any of them in any situation?
They sometimes overlap, but they focus on different things.
Lo siento focuses on your regret or sympathy, perdón asks for forgiveness, and disculpa asks the other person to excuse you.
- 1 Lo Siento vs. Perdón vs. Disculpa: The Quick Answer
- 2 How to Pronounce Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa
- 3 What Does Lo Siento Mean?
- 4 What Does Perdón Mean?
- 5 What Does Disculpa Mean?
- 6 Lo Siento vs. Perdón
- 7 Perdón vs. Disculpa
- 8 Lo Siento vs. Disculpa
- 9 Which Spanish Apology Should You Use?
- 9.1 Situation 1: You Arrive Five Minutes Late
- 9.2 Situation 2: You Break Someone’s Phone
- 9.3 Situation 3: You Need to Pass Through a Crowd
- 9.4 Situation 4: You Did Not Hear the Question
- 9.5 Situation 5: You Want to Speak to a Store Employee
- 9.6 Situation 6: A Friend Receives Bad News
- 9.7 Situation 7: You Interrupt a Meeting
- 10 Can Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa Be Combined?
- 11 Stronger Ways to Apologize in Spanish
- 12 Common Mistakes with Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa
- 13 The Origins of Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa
- 14 Frequently Asked Questions
- 14.1 What is the main difference between lo siento, perdón, and disculpa?
- 14.2 Are lo siento and perdón interchangeable?
- 14.3 What is the difference between perdón and disculpa?
- 14.4 Should I say disculpa or disculpe?
- 14.5 Can lo siento mean “I’m sorry to hear that”?
- 14.6 How do I say “Sorry?” when I did not hear someone?
- 14.7 Is perdóname stronger than perdón?
- 14.8 Can I say lo siento and perdóname together?
- 14.9 What does mis disculpas mean?
- 14.10 What is the safest beginner rule?
- 15 Lo Siento vs. Perdón vs. Disculpa: Summary
- 16 Related Guide
Lo Siento vs. Perdón vs. Disculpa: The Quick Answer
For beginners, the easiest rule is:
Lo siento
“I feel regret or sympathy.”
Use it for emotional apologies, meaningful mistakes, and bad news.
Perdón
“Forgiveness, please.”
Use it for quick apologies, accidental contact, interruptions, and asking someone to repeat something.
Disculpa
“Excuse me / excuse what I am doing.”
Use it to get someone’s attention, interrupt politely, or apologize for an inconvenience.
This is not an absolute rule. Native speakers may choose different expressions in the same situation, and the expressions can be combined.
However, this basic distinction will help you avoid many common mistakes.
| Expression | Core image | Typical English translations | Common situations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lo siento | I regret or feel bad about it | I’m sorry; I’m sorry to hear that | Emotional harm, serious mistakes, sympathy |
| Perdón | I ask for forgiveness | Sorry; pardon; excuse me | Small mistakes, interruptions, accidental contact, repetition |
| Disculpa | Please excuse me | Excuse me; sorry | Getting attention, inconveniences, polite interruptions |
Could I remember them as lo siento = emotional, perdón = quick apology, and disculpa = excuse me?
Yes. That is an excellent beginner rule.
Later, you can learn the overlapping uses, but those three core images give you a reliable starting point.
How to Pronounce Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa
| Expression | Approximate pronunciation | Stress |
|---|---|---|
| lo siento | loh SYEN-toh | The first syllable of siento |
| perdón | pehr-DOHN | The final syllable |
| disculpa | dees-KOOL-pah | The second syllable |
Do not forget the written accent in perdón. The accent mark shows that the final syllable receives the stress.
Is writing perdon without the accent mark a serious problem?
People will usually understand you, especially in a casual message.
However, the standard spelling is perdón, so you should include the accent mark in normal writing.
What Does Lo Siento Mean?
Lo siento is commonly translated as “I’m sorry.”
It comes from the verb sentir, which means “to feel,” “to sense,” or “to regret.”
The expression can be understood as:
siento — I feel, regret, or am sorry about
lo siento
I feel or regret what happened.
Because the expression focuses on the speaker’s feelings, it is especially natural when something has caused emotional pain, disappointment, or sadness.
Lo siento. No quería hacerte daño.
I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you.
Lo siento por llegar tan tarde.
I’m sorry for arriving so late.
Lo siento mucho.
I’m very sorry.
Does lo siento literally mean “I feel it”?
That is the basic grammatical structure, but a literal translation can be misleading.
In an apology, sentir carries the idea of regretting or feeling sorrow about what happened.
Use Lo Siento for Sincere or Emotional Apologies
Lo siento is often the most natural option when you want to communicate genuine regret.
Lo siento por lo que dije ayer.
I’m sorry about what I said yesterday.
Lo siento. Fue culpa mía.
I’m sorry. It was my fault.
Siento haberte decepcionado.
I’m sorry that I disappointed you.
The expression itself does not automatically make an apology sincere. Tone, explanation, responsibility, and behavior still matter.
However, compared with a quick standalone perdón, lo siento usually draws more attention to the speaker’s regret.
If I accidentally bump into someone on the street, should I say lo siento?
You can, and it is not incorrect.
However, for a small immediate accident, a quick perdón or disculpa will often sound more natural and efficient.
Use Lo Siento to Express Sympathy
A major difference is that lo siento can express sympathy even when you did nothing wrong.
Mi perro está muy enfermo.
My dog is very sick.Lo siento mucho.
I’m so sorry.
Perdí mi trabajo la semana pasada.
I lost my job last week.Lo siento. Debe de ser muy difícil.
I’m sorry. That must be very difficult.
In these situations, the speaker is not asking for forgiveness. The speaker is showing sadness or concern about the other person’s experience.
If someone tells me that a family member died, can I say perdón?
Lo siento or lo siento mucho is much more natural.
You are expressing sympathy, not asking the person to forgive you.
Lo Siento por + Noun or Infinitive
You can explain the reason for your apology with por.
Lo siento por el ruido.
I’m sorry about the noise.
Lo siento por el retraso.
I’m sorry about the delay.
You can also use an infinitive:
Lo siento por llegar tarde.
I’m sorry for arriving late.
Lo siento por interrumpir.
I’m sorry for interrupting.
When the subject of the second action is different, Spanish commonly uses a clause with que.
Siento que no puedas venir.
I’m sorry that you cannot come.
Can I say lo siento de llegar tarde?
Use por, not de, in this structure.
Say Lo siento por llegar tarde.
What Does Perdón Mean?
Perdón is a masculine noun related to the verb perdonar, “to forgive.”
Its core image is:
Forgiveness or pardon for an offense, mistake, or interruption.
When used by itself, perdón works as a short courtesy formula.
Perdón.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
Pardon me.
It is extremely useful because it can perform several functions.
- Apologizing for a small mistake
- Reacting after bumping into someone
- Interrupting a conversation
- Correcting yourself
- Asking someone to repeat something
- Politely disagreeing or expressing surprise
Is perdón less sincere than lo siento?
Not necessarily.
A standalone perdón is often brief, but expressions such as te pido perdón and perdóname can communicate a very serious apology.
Use Perdón for Small Accidental Mistakes
If you step on someone’s foot, block a doorway, or drop something near another person, perdón is a natural immediate response.
¡Perdón! No te vi.
Sorry! I didn’t see you.
Perdón, fue un accidente.
Sorry, it was an accident.
Perdón por el retraso.
Sorry about the delay.
The apology is often connected to a specific event that has just happened.
I stepped on someone’s shoe for one second. Would lo siento mucho sound strange?
It would not be grammatically wrong, but it could sound heavier than the situation requires.
A quick perdón usually matches a small accidental incident more naturally.
Use Perdón to Interrupt Someone
Perdón can introduce a question or interruption.
Perdón, ¿puedo decir algo?
Excuse me, may I say something?
Perdón por interrumpir, pero tenemos un problema.
Sorry to interrupt, but we have a problem.
Here, you are asking the listener to forgive the interruption.
You are not necessarily expressing deep emotional regret.
Could I start an interruption with lo siento?
You could say Lo siento por interrumpir, especially if the interruption is significant.
For a quick conversational interruption, however, perdón or disculpa is usually more direct.
Use ¿Perdón? When You Did Not Understand
When spoken with questioning intonation, ¿perdón? can mean:
Pardon?
What did you say?
Could you repeat that?
A: La reunión empieza a las seis y cuarto.
The meeting starts at 6:15.B: ¿Perdón?
Sorry?
This does not mean that Speaker B is apologizing for a wrongdoing. It is a polite request for repetition.
Can I say ¿lo siento? when I did not hear someone?
No. That would not normally mean “Could you repeat that?”
Use ¿perdón?, ¿cómo?, or a fuller question such as ¿puedes repetirlo?
Perdón, Perdona, Perdóname, and Perdone
These forms are related, but their grammar is different.
| Form | Grammar | Typical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| perdón | Noun used as a formula | Sorry; excuse me; pardon? |
| perdona | Tú command | Excuse me; forgive me |
| perdóname | Tú command + me | Forgive me |
| perdone | Usted command | Excuse me; forgive me, formal |
Perdóname por haberte mentido.
Forgive me for lying to you.
Perdone, señor, ¿este asiento está libre?
Excuse me, sir, is this seat available?
Which sounds stronger: perdón or perdóname?
Perdóname is usually more personal because it directly means “forgive me.”
A standalone perdón is often used for quick social repairs, although tone can still make it serious.
What Does Disculpa Mean?
Disculpa can be either a noun or a verb form.
Disculpa as a Noun
As a feminine noun, una disculpa can mean an excuse, explanation, or apology.
Te debo una disculpa.
I owe you an apology.
No tienes que darme ninguna disculpa.
You do not have to give me an excuse.
The intended meaning depends on context. In one sentence it can refer to an apology; in another, it can refer to a justification or excuse.
Disculpa as a Verb Form
Disculpa is also the informal singular command form of disculpar.
It can be understood as:
Excuse me, excuse what I am doing, or overlook this inconvenience.
Disculpa, ¿sabes qué hora es?
Excuse me, do you know what time it is?
Disculpa la molestia.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Why does disculpa sometimes mean “apology” and sometimes mean “excuse me”?
Because the same written form has two grammatical roles.
Una disculpa is a noun, while disculpa addressed to another person is an informal command meaning “excuse me.”
Disculpa vs. Disculpe
The form changes according to whom you are addressing.
| Form | Addressed to | Typical setting |
|---|---|---|
| disculpa | Tú | Informal singular |
| disculpá | Vos | Voseo regions |
| disculpe | Usted | Formal or respectful singular |
| disculpad | Vosotros | Informal plural, mainly Spain |
| disculpen | Ustedes | Plural |
Disculpa, Ana, ¿puedo preguntarte algo?
Excuse me, Ana, can I ask you something?
Disculpe, señora, creo que se le cayó esto.
Excuse me, ma’am, I think you dropped this.
Should I always use disculpe with a stranger?
It is a safe respectful choice, especially with an older person or in a formal situation.
However, local customs differ, and many speakers also use informal address with strangers in casual settings.
Use Disculpa to Get Someone’s Attention
Disculpa and disculpe are especially useful before asking a stranger a question.
Disculpa, ¿dónde está la estación?
Excuse me, where is the station?
Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar?
Excuse me, can you help me?
In this use, disculpa is close to English “excuse me.” You are politely acknowledging that you are taking the other person’s attention or time.
Can I say lo siento, ¿dónde está la estación??
That would usually sound unnatural because you have nothing significant to regret.
Use disculpa, disculpe, or sometimes perdón to get the person’s attention.
Use Disculpa for an Inconvenience
Disculpa also works well when you have caused a mild inconvenience.
Disculpa la espera.
Sorry about the wait.
Disculpe las molestias.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Please excuse the inconvenience.
Disculpa por escribirte tan tarde.
Sorry for writing to you so late.
The focus is often on acknowledging the disturbance, interruption, or inconvenience created for the other person.
Does disculpa sound more formal than perdón?
Not automatically.
Disculpa is the informal tú form. Disculpe is the respectful form and can sound more formal.
The politeness difference comes partly from the verb form, not only from the word itself.
Lo Siento vs. Perdón
The simplest difference is:
“I regret or feel bad about what happened.”
Perdón
“I ask you to forgive this mistake, contact, or interruption.”
Example 1: You Forgot an Important Birthday
Lo siento mucho. No debí olvidar tu cumpleaños.
I’m very sorry. I should not have forgotten your birthday.
Lo siento fits because the mistake may have caused emotional hurt.
You could also say:
Perdóname por olvidar tu cumpleaños.
Forgive me for forgetting your birthday.
Here, perdóname makes the request for forgiveness explicit.
Could I simply say perdón after forgetting a birthday?
You could, but a bare perdón might feel too short for an emotionally important mistake.
Lo siento mucho, perdóname, or a fuller apology would better match the situation.
Example 2: You Accidentally Touch Someone on a Bus
Perdón.
Sorry.
A brief perdón is natural because the event is small, immediate, and accidental.
Example 3: Someone Tells You Bad News
Lo siento mucho.
I’m so sorry.
Use lo siento because you are expressing sympathy. You are not asking for forgiveness.
So does perdón always mean I did something wrong?
No. It can also be a courtesy signal before interrupting or a question meaning “Pardon?”
Its broader core is forgiveness or permission for a small social disturbance.
Perdón vs. Disculpa
Perdón and disculpa overlap more strongly than lo siento and perdón.
Both can mean “sorry” or “excuse me.”
A helpful difference is:
A compact request for forgiveness after a mistake or before an interruption.
Disculpa
A direct request that the other person excuse your interruption, question, or inconvenience.
Getting a Stranger’s Attention
Both of these may be heard:
Perdón, ¿dónde está el baño?
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
Disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño?
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
Disculpe explicitly addresses the listener in the respectful usted form. It is therefore a particularly clear polite option.
Which one should I memorize for asking strangers questions?
Disculpe is a very useful respectful default.
You should still recognize perdón, because native speakers commonly use it in the same general situation.
After a Small Accident
After stepping on someone’s foot, either expression may work:
Perdón, no fue mi intención.
Sorry, I didn’t mean to.
Disculpa, no te vi.
Sorry, I didn’t see you.
The difference is often less important than the speaker’s tone and speed of response.
If both are possible, will choosing the “wrong” one sound unnatural?
Usually not.
The distinction is a tendency, not a rigid border. What matters most is recognizing that neither expression automatically carries the emotional weight of lo siento mucho.
Lo Siento vs. Disculpa
The key difference is emotional regret versus social inconvenience.
Focuses on your regret, sorrow, or sympathy.
Disculpa
Focuses on asking the listener to excuse your action or disturbance.
You Hurt a Friend’s Feelings
Lo siento. No quería hablarte así.
I’m sorry. I didn’t want to speak to you that way.
This apology expresses regret about emotional harm.
You Want to Ask a Stranger a Question
Disculpe, ¿esta silla está ocupada?
Excuse me, is this chair taken?
You are politely requesting the person’s attention. There is no meaningful harm to regret.
If I send a work message late at night, should I use lo siento or disculpa?
For the inconvenience itself, Disculpa por escribir tan tarde is natural.
If the late message caused a larger problem, you might choose lo siento and give a fuller explanation.
Which Spanish Apology Should You Use?
Situation 1: You Arrive Five Minutes Late
Sorry for the delay.
Also possible: Disculpa por llegar tarde.
Sorry for arriving late.
More regretful: Lo siento por llegar tarde.
I’m sorry for arriving late.
The more serious the consequences, the more natural a fuller lo siento apology may become.
What if I arrive an hour late and everyone was waiting for me?
A quick perdón may sound insufficient by itself.
Use a fuller apology such as Lo siento mucho por llegar tan tarde and take responsibility.
Situation 2: You Break Someone’s Phone
I’m extremely sorry. It was my fault, and I’m going to pay for the repair.
This situation needs more than a one-word social apology. Lo siento introduces regret, while the following sentence accepts responsibility and offers a solution.
Could I add perdóname too?
Yes.
Lo siento mucho. Perdóname. combines regret with a direct request for forgiveness.
Situation 3: You Need to Pass Through a Crowd
Excuse me.
Disculpe.
Excuse me.
You are asking people to excuse a small physical interruption.
Situation 4: You Did Not Hear the Question
Sorry?
Pardon?
Do not use lo siento for this function.
Situation 5: You Want to Speak to a Store Employee
Excuse me, can you help me?
Perdón is also possible, but disculpe clearly marks respectful direct address.
Should I say disculpa to a waiter?
If you are using respectful usted address, choose disculpe.
You can say Disculpe, ¿nos trae la cuenta, por favor?
Situation 6: A Friend Receives Bad News
I’m so sorry.
Here, lo siento expresses sympathy.
Situation 7: You Interrupt a Meeting
Sorry to interrupt.
Disculpen la interrupción.
Please excuse the interruption.
Both are possible. The second version addresses a group and can sound more deliberate.
Could I say lo siento por interrumpir in a meeting?
Yes. It sounds like a more explicit expression of regret.
For a routine interruption, perdón or disculpen may be more concise.
Can Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa Be Combined?
Yes. Native speakers often combine apology expressions to add weight, clarity, or politeness.
Perdón, lo siento mucho.
Forgive me; I’m very sorry.
Disculpa. No quería molestarte.
Sorry. I didn’t want to bother you.
Lo siento. Perdóname por lo que dije.
I’m sorry. Forgive me for what I said.
Each expression contributes a slightly different function:
Perdóname — requests forgiveness
Disculpa — asks the listener to excuse the action or interruption
Does combining several expressions make every apology better?
No. For a tiny accident, a long apology may sound excessive.
Choose language that matches the seriousness of the situation and then explain or repair the problem when necessary.
Stronger Ways to Apologize in Spanish
Lo Siento Mucho
Adding mucho strengthens the expression.
Lo siento mucho por lo ocurrido.
I’m very sorry about what happened.
Lo Siento Muchísimo
Muchísimo adds even greater emphasis.
Lo siento muchísimo. No sé qué decir.
I’m so very sorry. I don’t know what to say.
Te Pido Perdón
This means “I ask your forgiveness.”
Te pido perdón por haberte mentido.
I ask your forgiveness for lying to you.
Perdóname
This is a direct personal request: “Forgive me.”
Perdóname. No volverá a pasar.
Forgive me. It will not happen again.
Mis Disculpas
Mis disculpas means “my apologies.” It is useful in polite or formal communication.
Mis disculpas por la confusión.
My apologies for the confusion.
Mil Disculpas
Mil disculpas literally means “a thousand apologies.” It strongly emphasizes the apology, although the tone may be sincere, polite, or playfully exaggerated depending on context.
Mil disculpas por no responder antes.
Many apologies for not replying sooner.
Is mil disculpas more formal than lo siento mucho?
It can fit polite written communication, but it is not automatically more formal.
Lo siento mucho emphasizes personal regret, while mil disculpas emphasizes the apology itself.
Common Mistakes with Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa
Mistake 1: Translating Every English “Sorry” as Lo Siento
English uses “sorry” for many unrelated functions.
Spanish often chooses a different expression for each function.
Lo siento.
Sorry, I stepped on your foot.
Perdón.
Sorry, can I ask you something?
Disculpa, ¿puedo preguntarte algo?
Sorry?
¿Perdón?
So I should translate the situation rather than the English word?
Exactly.
Ask whether you are expressing regret, requesting forgiveness, requesting attention, or asking for repetition.
Mistake 2: Using Lo Siento to Ask for Repetition
¿Lo siento?
Natural:
¿Perdón?
¿Cómo?
¿Puedes repetirlo?
Mistake 3: Ignoring Tú and Usted
Disculpa addresses tú. Disculpe addresses usted.
Using the respectful form is often safer in formal service interactions or with people whom you would normally address as usted.
Mistake 4: Thinking Perdón Is Always a Weak Apology
A one-word perdón is often brief, but related expressions can be emotionally strong.
Perdóname por todo el daño que te causé.
Forgive me for all the harm I caused you.
Mistake 5: Giving an Excuse Instead of an Apology
An effective apology often includes responsibility and repair.
Lo siento, pero tú también cometiste errores.
I’m sorry, but you also made mistakes.
Clearer responsibility:
Lo siento por lo que dije. Fue injusto y no debí decirlo.
I’m sorry for what I said. It was unfair, and I should not have said it.
Can the word pero make an apology sound less sincere?
It can, especially when everything after pero shifts the blame to the other person.
A clear apology usually states what you did, recognizes its effect, and explains how you will repair it.
The Origins of Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa
The Origin of Lo Siento
Siento is the first-person singular present form of sentir.
Sentir comes from Latin sentīre, connected with perceiving, feeling, and forming an impression.
One of its Spanish meanings is to lament or consider something painful or bad.
to feel or perceive
↓
to experience sorrow or regret
↓
lo siento
I regret it / I’m sorry
The Origin of Perdón
Perdón comes from perdonar.
The verb traces back to Late Latin perdonāre, formed from elements connected with giving completely or granting forgiveness.
↓
the harmed person releases or remits it
↓
perdón
forgiveness or pardon
The Origin of Disculpa
Disculpa is formed from dis- and culpa.
Culpa means fault or blame. The word therefore carries the image of removing, reducing, or explaining away blame.
separation or removal
+
culpa
fault or blame
↓
disculpa
an excuse, justification, or request to be excused
The origins reflect the modern core images:
Perdón — receiving forgiveness
Disculpa — being excused from blame or inconvenience
Do the word origins give me a reliable way to remember the difference?
Yes.
Remember feeling for lo siento, forgiveness for perdón, and removing blame or excusing for disculpa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between lo siento, perdón, and disculpa?
Lo siento normally emphasizes regret or sympathy. Perdón commonly asks for forgiveness after a small mistake or before an interruption. Disculpa commonly asks someone to excuse an interruption, question, or inconvenience.
Are lo siento and perdón interchangeable?
They overlap in some apologies, but they are not fully interchangeable. Lo siento is more natural for sympathy and emotional regret. Perdón is especially useful for quick mistakes, interruptions, and asking for repetition.
What is the difference between perdón and disculpa?
Both can mean “sorry” or “excuse me.” Perdón centers on forgiveness or pardon. Disculpa directly asks someone to excuse an action or inconvenience. In many everyday situations, either may be natural.
Should I say disculpa or disculpe?
Use disculpa with informal singular tú address. Use disculpe with formal or respectful singular usted address.
Can lo siento mean “I’m sorry to hear that”?
Yes. Lo siento can express sympathy about illness, loss, disappointment, or other bad news even when the speaker did nothing wrong.
How do I say “Sorry?” when I did not hear someone?
Use ¿perdón?. You can also say ¿cómo? or ¿puedes repetirlo?. Do not normally use ¿lo siento? for this purpose.
Is perdóname stronger than perdón?
Perdóname is more direct and personal because it literally asks the listener to forgive the speaker. A standalone perdón is often used as a quick courtesy formula.
Can I say lo siento and perdóname together?
Yes. Lo siento. Perdóname. combines an expression of regret with a direct request for forgiveness.
What does mis disculpas mean?
Mis disculpas means “my apologies.” It is common in polite explanations and written communication.
What is the safest beginner rule?
Use lo siento for emotional regret and sympathy, perdón for small immediate mistakes and “Pardon?”, and disculpa or disculpe to get someone’s attention or acknowledge an inconvenience.
Lo Siento, Perdón, or Disculpa?
Ask what the moment actually needs — regret, forgiveness, or attention.
I feel regret or sympathy. — for emotional apologies and meaningful mistakes.
Forgiveness, please. — quick apologies, accidental contact, “what did you say?”
Excuse me / excuse what I am doing. — for attention-getting and minor inconveniences.
※ This is not an absolute rule — native speakers often combine these or choose differently in the same situation, but the pattern above covers most everyday cases.
Lo Siento vs. Perdón vs. Disculpa: Summary
● Comes from sentir, “to feel or regret”
● Core image: feeling sorrow or regret
● Used for sincere apologies and emotional harm
● Used to express sympathy about bad news
● Common stronger form: lo siento mucho
Perdón
● Related to perdonar, “to forgive”
● Core image: requesting forgiveness or pardon
● Used for quick accidental mistakes
● Used before interrupting someone
● Used as ¿perdón? when asking for repetition
● Stronger personal form: perdóname
Disculpa
● Connected with culpa, “fault or blame”
● Core image: asking to be excused
● Used to get someone’s attention
● Used for interruptions and inconveniences
● Disculpa addresses tú
● Disculpe addresses usted
Do not try to match all three expressions with the single English word “sorry.”
First identify your purpose:
Are you feeling regret, asking for forgiveness, requesting attention, or asking to be excused?
Once you answer that question, choosing between lo siento, perdón, and disculpa becomes much easier.
Real Academia Española: sentir
Real Academia Española: perdón
Real Academia Española: perdonar
Real Academia Española: disculpa
Real Academia Española: disculpar
Related Guide
For the complete overview of Spanish apologies — which word to use, how formal it sounds, and how to answer when someone apologizes to you — see the main guide: How to Say Sorry in Spanish.
