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Sorry, bro is an adequate apology to give when your friend realizes you’ve eaten the last fry. It’s also the last thing you would want to say after backing into a livid stranger’s car.
When it comes to making an apology, context is everything. And just like filing your taxes, you’ll want to get it right the first time.
In Spanish, there are a plethora of ways to apologize. Rosetta Stone Spanish can help you master them all in context—our immersive lessons make preparing for even the hardest of apologies feel fun and natural.
But if you’re looking for a preview, this essential guide to saying sorry in Spanish is the perfect place to start. From a casual sorry to a more heartfelt statement, here’s everything you need to make and accept an apology.
>>Get the full list of need-to-know Spanish words and phrases here!
The two most common ways to say sorry in Spanish
Sometimes you need an apology that’s quick and easy. These are the apologies you can lean on in most situations, from accidentally elbowing a friend to expressing concern for a loved one. Often, you’ll find that you can use them interchangeably with “excuse me.”
- lo siento
Meaning: Sorry
Context: Lo siento is far and away the most common way to say sorry in Spanish. It translates literally to I feel it (which is quite beautiful if you think about it). It is most often used to express sorrow for someone else. Though it’s often reserved for informal use between friends and family, it’s easily dressed up to fit both casual and serious situations.
Examples:
- Lo siento, perdí el suéter que me presté. = Sorry, I lost the sweater you lent me.
- Hey, lo siento me tomó tanto tiempo para volver. = Hey, sorry it took me so long to get back.
- Lo siento, realmente espero que te sientas mejor pronto. = Sorry, I really hope you feel better soon.
2. perdón
Meaning: Sorry; excuse me; pardon me
Context: Like lo siento, perdón is a versatile apology. You can use it to say sorry in situations where you are at fault. Or, use it as a substitute for excuse me, especially in cases when you want to interrupt or get someone’s attention.
Examples:
- Perdón, ¿puedo pedir prestado su cargador? = Excuse me, can I borrow your charger?
- Perdón, ¿puede hablar un poco más despacio? = Pardon me, can you speak a little slower?
- Perdón, me perdí el turno. = Sorry, I missed the turn.
>>New to Spanish? Learn how to start the conversation with 10 ways to say hello.
How to give a more heartfelt apology in Spanish
You might not always hurt the people you love, but it happens—even to those with the best intentions. When you find yourself at fault, here are the phrases you can lean on to smooth things over with the people you care about in any setting.
3. me arrepiento…
Meaning: I regret…
Context: Say it like it is. The deed is done, but you wish it had never happened.
Examples:
- Me arrepiento de cómo actué. = I regret how I acted.
- Me arrepiento de ir a la fiesta en lugar de estudiar = I regret going to the party instead of studying.
4. te pido/le pido disculpas de corazón
Meaning: I sincerely apologize; I apologize from the heart
Context: Te pido disculpas (informal) or Le pido disculpas (formal) can be used to apologize or ask for forgiveness. Adding de corazón is for more dire situations when you really need to emphasize your remorse.
Examples:
- Te pido disculpas de corazón por cómo te traté. = I sincerely apologize for how I treated you.
- Te pido disculpas de corazón por llegar tan tarde. = I sincerely apologize for being so late.
5. no te imaginas/se imagina cuánto lo siento
Meaning: You can’t imagine how sorry I am
Context: Pull this one out when you need to make an apology big enough to match the pain of the situation.
Examples:
- No te imaginas cuánto siento haber olvidado presentar nuestros impuestos. = You can’t imagine how sorry I am that I forgot to file our taxes.
- No te imaginas cuánto siento haber dejado la ventana abierta durante la tormenta. = You can’t imagine how sorry I am that I left the window open during the storm.
6. perdóname/perdóneme
Meaning: Forgive me
Context: This one might look familiar, but adding me to the end of perdón changes the meaning significantly—transitioning from relatively casual to quite serious. If you’d rather phrase forgiveness as a question, you can say ¿Me perdonas? (Would you forgive me?).
Examples:
- Por favor, perdóname. No fue mi intención ser tan grosero. = Please, forgive me. It wasn’t my intention to be so rude.
- Perdóname por dar por sentada tu bondad. = Forgive me for taking your kindness for granted.
How to say “excuse me” in Spanish
It’s common to use sorry and excuse me interchangeably in English. The same applies in Spanish. There are, however, some instances in which a simple excuse me is more appropriate and more polite.
7. disculpa/disculpe
Meaning: Sorry; excuse me
Context: Disculpa can be used as both a noun (meaning “apology”) and an interjection. When used as an interjection, it is used like perdón, though it’s slightly more elevated. Its more formal counterpart, disculpe, is used when addressing people like a client, boss, or professor.
Examples:
- Disculpa, ¿sabes dónde puedo encontrar la biblioteca? = Excuse me, do you know where I can find the library?
- Disculpe que lo interrumpa, Sr. Pérez. ¿Tiene un momento? = Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Perez. Do you have a moment?
8. con permiso
Meaning: Excuse me
Context: With this version of excuse me, no apology is implied. Con permiso is a great phrase to have in your toolbox—especially if you’re traveling—to ensure politeness as you navigate crowded streets.
Examples:
- Con permiso, ¿me dejas pasar? = Excuse me, could you let me by?
- Con permiso, ¿puedo conseguir mi maleta? = Excuse me, can I get my suitcase?
9. permíteme/permítame
Meaning: Let me; allow me
Context: When you’d like to be extra polite while helping a friend, you can use permíteme. In a more formal setting, permítame is fitting.
Examples:
- Permíteme explicarles primero, y luego puedes hacer preguntas. = Allow me to explain first, and then you can ask questions.
- Permítame abrirle la puerta, señora. = Allow me to open the door for you, ma’am.
How to give your condolences in Spanish
When a friend or acquaintance is going through a hard time, an apology can help to acknowledge their hardship and open the conversation.
10. Lo siento mucho
Meaning: I’m really sorry
Context: If all else fails, tack mucho (very) onto lo siento to express your concern to loved ones or close friends.
Examples:
- Lo siento mucho su pérdida. = I’m really sorry for your loss.
- Por favor, dígales que lo siento mucho y que me encantaría ayudar. = Please tell them I’m really sorry and I would love to help.
11. Lo lamento
Meaning: I’m very sorry
Context: This is the more formal version of lo siento mucho. Lo lamento is a phrase you can use to pay your respects to the family of someone who has recently passed.
Examples:
- Lo lamento la pérdida de tu esposa. = I’m very sorry for the loss of your wife.
Additional phrases
12. Mi sentido pésame. = My heartfelt condolences.
13. Te acompaño en este momento de dolor. = I’m with you in this moment of grief.
14. Puedes contar conmigo para lo que necesites. = You can count on me for whatever you need.
15. Llámame si necesitas algo. = Call me if you need anything.
How to accept an apology in Spanish
What happens if you find yourself on the receiving end of an apology? If it’s a mutual misunderstanding, your initial apology might very well lead to a sincere show of remorse from the other party. A simple gracias (thank you) is a worthy response to any apology, but you might want to impress a bit more nuance in your response.
16. Está bien. = It’s okay.
17. No hay problema. = It’s not a problem.
18. Te perdono. / Lo/la perdono. = I forgive you.
19. Acepto tu/su disculpa. = I accept your apology.
20. No te preocupes. / No se preocupe. = Don’t worry/no worries.
>>End any conversation on the right foot with 20 ways to say goodbye in Spanish.
Master greetings, apologies, and more with Rosetta Stone
A well-worded apology can go a long way in any language, but “sorry” can only get you so far. How do you know if you’re conversation ready?
Rosetta Stone can help you take your learning beyond vocabulary lists. Using real-world images and scenarios, Rosetta Stone’s bite-sized lessons help you learn immersively, so you learn faster and retain more.
Plus, Rosetta Stone’s TruAccent feature can help you nail your pronunciation from the very first lesson.
Learn Spanish the right way and start your first lesson today at www.rosettastone.com!
