How to Say “I’m Sorry” in Spanish

Introduction

Learning how to apologize properly in Spanish is an essential skill for anyone studying the language. Whether you’ve accidentally bumped into someone on the street, need to express regret for a mistake, or want to show empathy for someone’s difficult situation, knowing the right way to say you’re sorry can make all the difference in your Spanish conversations and relationships.

The Most Common Way to Apologize

The most universal and widely recognized way to say I’m sorry in Spanish is lo siento. This phrase works in virtually every Spanish-speaking country and can be used in both formal and informal situations. The literal translation means I feel it, which reflects the empathetic nature of the apology in Spanish culture.

You’ll hear lo siento used everywhere from casual conversations with friends to more serious situations requiring genuine remorse. It’s the go-to phrase that every Spanish learner should master first, as it will serve you well in countless situations throughout your language journey.

How to Use Lo Siento in Different Contexts

The beauty of lo siento is its versatility. When you accidentally step on someone’s foot, a simple lo siento is perfectly appropriate. If you need to cancel plans with a friend, you might say lo siento, tengo que trabajar (I’m sorry, I have to work). For more serious situations, you can emphasize your apology by saying lo siento mucho or lo siento muchísimo.

Here are some practical examples:
Lo siento, llegué tarde. (I’m sorry, I arrived late.)
Lo siento mucho por tu pérdida. (I’m very sorry for your loss.)
Lo siento, no te escuché. (I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.)

Formal Apologies with Perdón and Disculpa

Another extremely common way to apologize in Spanish is using perdón. This word comes from the verb perdonar, which means to forgive or to pardon. When you say perdón, you’re essentially asking for forgiveness, making it slightly more direct than lo siento.

Perdón is particularly useful when you need to interrupt someone, get someone’s attention, or when you’ve made a minor mistake. It’s also the word you’ll typically use when you bump into someone on the street or need to squeeze past people in a crowded space.

The Difference Between Perdón and Disculpa

Closely related to perdón is the phrase disculpa, which comes from the verb disculpar (to excuse or to apologize). In practice, disculpa and perdón are often interchangeable, though disculpa tends to be slightly more informal and is more commonly used in some Latin American countries.

The formal versions of these words are perdone and disculpe. You would use these when addressing someone with the formal usted form, such as an elder, a boss, a stranger, or anyone you need to show respect toward.

Examples of usage:
Perdón, ¿puedo pasar? (Excuse me, can I pass?)
Disculpa la molestia. (Sorry for the bother.)
Perdone, ¿dónde está el baño? (Excuse me, where is the bathroom?)
Disculpe, ¿tiene la hora? (Excuse me, do you have the time?)

Expressing Deep Regret and Sincere Apologies

When you need to express a more profound apology or show genuine remorse for something more serious, Spanish offers several intensified expressions. These go beyond the basic lo siento to convey the depth of your regret.

Lo Siento Mucho and Lo Siento Muchísimo

Adding mucho (very much) or muchísimo (very, very much) to lo siento immediately intensifies your apology. Lo siento mucho is appropriate for most situations requiring a heartfelt apology, while lo siento muchísimo expresses even deeper regret.

These phrases are perfect when you’ve truly hurt someone’s feelings, made a significant mistake, or need to express sympathy for a difficult situation. You might use lo siento mucho when apologizing for forgetting an important date, breaking something valuable, or when expressing condolences.

Te Pido Perdón and Other Formal Expressions

For situations requiring maximum sincerity, you can use te pido perdón (I ask for your forgiveness) or its formal equivalent, le pido perdón. This phrase shows that you’re actively requesting forgiveness rather than simply stating you’re sorry.

Other expressions that convey deep regret include:
Discúlpame or Perdóname (Forgive me)
No sabes cuánto lo siento (You don’t know how sorry I am)
De verdad lo siento (I truly am sorry)
Siento mucho lo que pasó (I’m very sorry about what happened)

Regional Variations Across Spanish-Speaking Countries

Spanish is spoken across more than twenty countries, and naturally, there are regional differences in how people apologize. While the phrases we’ve covered are understood everywhere, some countries have their own preferred expressions.

Mexican Spanish Apologies

In Mexico, you’ll frequently hear people say qué pena (what a shame or how embarrassing) as a way of expressing regret or apology. This phrase is particularly common when someone feels embarrassed about a situation or wants to express sympathy.

Mexicans also commonly use perdón and lo siento, but qué pena adds a distinctly Mexican flavor to apologies. You might hear someone say ay, qué pena when they’ve made a social mistake or need to decline an invitation.

Argentine and Uruguayan Variations

In Argentina and Uruguay, you’ll often hear che, perdón or che, disculpá. The word che is a uniquely Argentine and Uruguayan interjection used to get attention or add emphasis. The form disculpá (instead of disculpa) reflects the voseo verb conjugation used in these countries.

Spanish from Spain

In Spain, all the standard forms are used, but you might also hear perdona (the informal singular command form) more frequently than in Latin America. Spaniards also use lo siento extensively, and the choice between perdón, perdona, and lo siento often comes down to personal preference and the specific situation.

Apologizing for Specific Situations

Different situations call for different types of apologies. Understanding the context will help you choose the most appropriate phrase and strike the right tone in your Spanish interactions.

Making Someone Wait

When you’ve kept someone waiting, you can say:
Perdón por la espera. (Sorry for the wait.)
Disculpa la demora. (Sorry for the delay.)
Siento haberte hecho esperar. (Sorry for making you wait.)

Interrupting or Bothering Someone

When you need to interrupt or get someone’s attention:
Perdón por interrumpir. (Sorry for interrupting.)
Disculpa que te moleste. (Sorry to bother you.)
Perdona que te interrumpa. (Pardon me for interrupting you.)

Not Understanding or Not Hearing

When you didn’t catch what someone said:
Perdón, ¿qué dijiste? (Sorry, what did you say?)
Disculpa, no te oí bien. (Sorry, I didn’t hear you well.)
Lo siento, no entendí. (I’m sorry, I didn’t understand.)

Declining Invitations or Offers

When turning down an invitation politely:
Lo siento, no puedo ir. (I’m sorry, I can’t go.)
Qué pena, pero no voy a poder. (What a shame, but I won’t be able to.)
Disculpa, tengo otros planes. (Sorry, I have other plans.)

Cultural Considerations When Apologizing in Spanish

Understanding the cultural context of apologies in Spanish-speaking cultures can help you communicate more effectively and avoid misunderstandings. Spanish-speaking cultures tend to be more expressive and personal in their communication style compared to some English-speaking cultures.

The Importance of Sincerity

In Spanish-speaking cultures, the sincerity behind an apology often matters more than the exact words used. Making eye contact, using appropriate body language, and showing genuine remorse through your tone of voice are all important aspects of a meaningful apology.

A rushed or casual lo siento might come across as insincere, while a heartfelt de verdad lo siento accompanied by appropriate nonverbal communication will be much better received. Spanish speakers often appreciate when someone takes the time to explain what they’re sorry for and why.

When to Use Formal vs Informal Apologies

The decision between formal and informal apologies depends on your relationship with the person and the social context. Generally, use formal forms (perdone, disculpe, le pido perdón) when addressing:

Older individuals you don’t know well
Authority figures like teachers, bosses, or police officers
Strangers in professional settings
Anyone you would address as usted rather than tú

Use informal forms (perdón, disculpa, perdóname) with:
Friends and family members
People your age or younger in casual settings
Anyone you would address as tú
Children

Common Mistakes to Avoid

As you practice apologizing in Spanish, be aware of these common errors that English speakers often make.

Don’t Literally Translate I Am Sorry

While yo soy sorry might seem logical, it’s incorrect. The verb ser (to be) doesn’t work this way in Spanish. Always use lo siento, not soy sorry or estoy sorry. The expression lo siento uses the verb sentir (to feel), which is the proper construction in Spanish.

Remember Agreement with Lo Siento

When you’re sorry about something specific, you might need to adjust the pronoun. If you’re sorry about multiple things, you would say lo siento for masculine singular or neutral concepts, la siento for feminine singular concepts, or los siento or las siento for plural concepts. However, in practice, lo siento is most commonly used as a fixed expression.

Don’t Overuse Apologies

While politeness is valued in Spanish-speaking cultures, constantly apologizing for minor things (as is common in some English-speaking cultures) might make you seem overly submissive or lacking in confidence. Spanish speakers tend to reserve apologies for situations that genuinely warrant them.

Responding to Apologies

Knowing how to accept an apology graciously is just as important as knowing how to give one. Here are common responses when someone apologizes to you in Spanish.

Accepting the Apology

The most common way to accept an apology is to say no pasa nada (it’s nothing or no worries) or no te preocupes (don’t worry about it). These phrases let the person know that everything is fine and there are no hard feelings.

Other common responses include:
Está bien (It’s okay)
No importa (It doesn’t matter)
Tranquilo or Tranquila (Relax or Don’t worry)
No hay problema (No problem)
Descuida (Don’t worry about it)

More Formal Responses

In formal situations, you might say:
No se preocupe (Don’t worry – formal)
Está disculpado or Está disculpada (You’re excused)
Por supuesto, no hay problema (Of course, no problem)

Practice Scenarios

To help you internalize these phrases, here are some realistic scenarios where you might need to apologize in Spanish.

Scenario One: Running Late to Meet a Friend

You: ¡Hola! Lo siento mucho por llegar tarde. El tráfico estaba terrible.
(Hi! I’m very sorry for arriving late. The traffic was terrible.)

Friend: No te preocupes, yo también acabo de llegar.
(Don’t worry, I just got here too.)

Scenario Two: Accidentally Bumping Into Someone

You: ¡Ay, perdón! No te vi.
(Oh, sorry! I didn’t see you.)

Other person: No pasa nada, tranquilo.
(It’s nothing, don’t worry.)

Scenario Three: Forgetting an Important Date

You: Lo siento muchísimo. No tengo excusa por haber olvidado tu cumpleaños.
(I’m so very sorry. I have no excuse for having forgotten your birthday.)

Friend: Está bien, sé que has estado ocupado.
(It’s okay, I know you’ve been busy.)

Conclusion

Mastering the art of apologizing in Spanish opens doors to more authentic and respectful communication with Spanish speakers around the world. From the versatile lo siento to the more intense te pido perdón, each phrase serves its purpose in different contexts. Remember that sincerity, cultural awareness, and appropriate formality are just as important as the words themselves. With practice, these expressions will become natural, helping you build stronger relationships and navigate social situations with confidence in Spanish.