Introduction
Knowing how to respond when someone says excuse me in Spanish helps you sound polite and natural in everyday situations. This article covers common phrases, contexts, pronunciation tips, and cultural notes so you can reply confidently whether you’re passing someone in a hallway, asking for attention, or reacting to an apology.
- Why context matters
- Common Spanish phrases for excuse me and how to respond
- Politeness levels and formality
- Polite fillers and short replies
- Short dialogues for real-life practice
- Pronunciation and intonation tips
- Cultural notes: what to expect in different Spanish-speaking countries
- Quick reference cheat sheet
- Conclusion
Why context matters
In Spanish, one English phrase excuse me corresponds to several different expressions depending on the situation. Responding correctly requires recognizing whether the person is trying to get your attention, asking to pass by, apologizing, or saying sorry after a small accident. Below we break down the most frequent scenarios and the best responses for each.
When someone says excuse me to get your attention
When someone says excuse me to call you over or ask a question, common Spanish phrases they might use include disculpe, perdón, or oiga (more common in Spain). Your response should be polite and open.
Examples of responses:
To offer help:
Claro, ¿en qué puedo ayudarle?
Con mucho gusto, dígame.
Shorter, casual replies:
Sí, ¿qué pasa?
Dígame.
Usage note: Use the formal usted form with people you do not know or with older adults. For friends or peers, use the informal tú forms:
Sí, ¿qué pasa?
Dime.
When someone says excuse me to pass by
In crowded places someone might say excuse me when they want to get past you. Spanish options include con permiso and perdón. Your response is usually a brief permission or an apology if you were blocking the way.
Examples of responses:
Giving permission:
Adelante, con permiso.
Pase, por favor.
Apologizing because you were in the way:
Lo siento, perdón.
Perdón, me muevo.
Usage note: Con permiso is polite and literally means with permission. Say it yourself when you need to get past someone.
When someone says excuse me to apologize
If a person steps on your foot or bumps into you and says excuse me, they will likely use lo siento or perdón. Your response can be forgiving and reassuring so the interaction stays friendly.
Recommended replies:
It’s okay:
No pasa nada.
No hay problema.
Short sympathetic reply:
Está bien.
Tranquilo / Tranquila.
Usage note: Use tranquilo when speaking to a male and tranquila when speaking to a female. These forms are casual and common.
When someone says excuse me to ask for clarification
When someone didn’t hear you or didn’t understand, they may say excuse me to get you to repeat yourself. They might say ¿Cómo?, ¿Perdón?, or ¿Cómo dice?. Your job is to repeat more clearly or rephrase.
Helpful responses:
Could you repeat more slowly:
Claro, lo repito despacio.
Perdón, ¿qué parte no entendió?
Rephrasing:
Lo diré de otra manera: …
En otras palabras: …
Usage note: When repeating, speak a bit slower and use simpler vocabulary for learners. Native speakers appreciate clarity rather than slower speech that distorts pronunciation.
Common Spanish phrases for excuse me and how to respond
Here is a practical list of common phrases you will hear and natural responses you can use. The first time each Spanish phrase appears it is bolded.
Perdón
Meaning: sorry, excuse me.
Responses:
No pasa nada.
Tranquilo / Tranquila.
Está bien.
Disculpe
Meaning: excuse me (formal), often used to get attention or ask a question.
Responses:
¿Sí? ¿En qué puedo ayudarle?
Con gusto, dígame.
Con permiso
Meaning: may I pass, excuse me (when moving through a crowd).
Responses:
Pase.
Adelante.
Lo siento
Meaning: I’m sorry (often used after making a mistake or causing harm).
Responses:
No se preocupe.
Está bien, gracias por decirlo.
¿Cómo? and ¿Perdón?
Meaning: excuse me? or sorry, I didn’t catch that.
Responses:
Lo repito: …
¿Quería que lo repitiera?
Politeness levels and formality
Spanish distinguishes between formal and informal speech. Choose your response based on your relationship and the setting. Use usted forms for formality and respeto with strangers, elders, or officials. Use tú forms for friends, family, and children.
Formal examples:
Perdón (from a stranger)
Response: No se preocupe, señor/a.
Disculpe, doctor.
Response: Dígame, en qué puedo ayudarle.
Informal examples:
Perdón, ¿me pasas el libro?
Response: Claro, toma.
Con permiso (in a concert or bus)
Response: Pasa, no hay problema.
Polite fillers and short replies
Short, polite replies are useful in fast social interactions. They keep the conversation moving and sound natural. Examples you can memorize:
Claro.
Por supuesto.
Adelante.
Con gusto.
No pasa nada.
Usage note: Use con gusto to offer service or help in customer service contexts—it’s warm and professional.
Short dialogues for real-life practice
Below are short dialogues showing how native speakers handle excuse me in common settings. Each line uses natural phrasing and includes context notes.
Scenario: On a bus
Persona A: Perdón, ¿esta asiento está libre?
Persona B: Sí, adelante.
Scenario: Bumping into someone
Persona A: Lo siento, no te vi.
Persona B: No pasa nada, está bien.
Scenario: Getting a waiter’s attention
Cliente: Disculpe, la cuenta por favor.
Mesero: Enseguida se la traigo.
Scenario: Passing through a crowd
Persona A: Con permiso.
Persona B: Pase, cuidado con la puerta.
Pronunciation and intonation tips
How you say an excuse me phrase can change its tone. Use a rising intonation to signal a question when you need repetition, and a calm, steady intonation for apologies. Pronunciation pointers:
Pronounce the r in perdón with a single flap similar to the tt in English city for many speakers.
In disculpe, stress the u: dis-CUL-pe.
Con permiso should be said in a single, fluid phrase when moving through people.
Usage note: Politeness often comes through in tone as much as word choice; a friendly voice goes a long way.
Cultural notes: what to expect in different Spanish-speaking countries
Regional variations affect which words are most common. In Spain you might hear oiga frequently when calling a waiter or getting attention; in Latin America disculpe or perdón are more common. In Mexico people often say con permiso when passing someone, and perdón after minor accidents. When in doubt, mirror the phrasing locals use and you’ll fit in quickly.
Quick reference cheat sheet
Memorize the following short responses to cover most situations:
To offer help: Claro, ¿en qué puedo ayudarle?
To allow passage: Pase, adelante.
To accept an apology: No pasa nada.
To ask for repetition: ¿Cómo? / Perdón?
Polite customer service: Con gusto.
Conclusion
Responding when someone says excuse me in Spanish is straightforward once you match the phrase to the situation. Use disculpe and perdón for attention and apologies, con permiso for passing, and friendly replies like No pasa nada or Pase for smooth interactions. Practice these short responses and listen for regional variations to speak politely and naturally.
