Learn How to Say “Excuse Me” in Spanish Quickly

When you’re learning Spanish and want to be polite in social settings, knowing how to say ‘Excuse me’ is essential.

You can say ‘Perdón’, ‘Perdona’, or ‘Perdone’. The choice depends on how formal the situation is and who you’re talking to. Each version fits different situations, whether you’re on a busy street or at a formal event.

Understanding these phrases helps you navigate cultural norms and avoid misunderstandings. It’s a simple way to show respect and ensure smooth communication.

Easy ways to say excuse me in the Spanish language

When it comes to being polite, there are a few simple ways to say ‘excuse me’ in Spanish. If you just need to get someone’s attention or ask them to repeat something, ‘Perdón’ works well.

When you’re in a more casual setting, you can say ‘Perdona,’ and in more formal situations, ‘Perdone’ is better.

If you need to get by someone or interrupt, just say ‘Permiso.’ And if you’re in a professional setting, saying ‘Con permiso’ shows respect as you proceed.

1. Perdón

Meaning: A neutral and polite way to say “excuse me” or “sorry.” It works for small mistakes or when you want to politely get someone’s attention.

Example:
Perdón, ¿me puedes decir la hora?
(Excuse me, can you tell me the time?)

2. Perdone

Meaning: The formal version of perdón. Use this with strangers, elders, or in professional settings to show respect.

Example:
Perdone, ¿cómo llego al museo?
(Excuse me, how do I get to the museum?)

3. Perdona

Meaning: An informal version of perdone, great for casual conversations with friends or peers.

Example:
Perdona, olvidé tu libro en casa.
(Sorry, I forgot your book at home.)

4. Disculpe

Meaning: A formal and respectful way to ask for attention or politely interrupt someone.

Example:
Disculpe, ¿puedo hacerle una pregunta?
(Excuse me, may I ask you a question?)

5. Disculpa

Meaning: The casual form of disculpe, perfect for friends or someone your age when you need to say “excuse me” or “sorry.”

Example:
Disculpa, no te vi llegar.
(Sorry, I didn’t see you come in.)

6. Con permiso

Meaning: Literally means “with permission.” It’s used to politely let someone know you’re trying to pass by or move through a space.

Example:
Con permiso, necesito pasar.
(Excuse me, I need to get by.)

7. Permiso

Meaning: A shorter, informal version of con permiso. It’s commonly used in everyday speech across Latin America.

Example:
Permiso, voy a entrar.
(Excuse me, I’m coming in.)

8. Lo siento

Meaning: Translates to “I’m sorry.” It’s more emotional and used for deeper apologies, rather than simple interruptions.

Example:
Lo siento mucho por lo que pasó.
(I’m very sorry for what happened.)

9. Perdóneme

Meaning: A serious and formal way of saying “forgive me.” It shows deep regret or asks for forgiveness after something significant.

Example:
Perdóneme, no quería lastimarlo.
(Forgive me, I didn’t mean to hurt you.)

10. Permítame

Meaning: Means “allow me.” It’s a polite and formal way to offer help or ask for permission to act.

Example:
Permítame ayudarle con las bolsas.
(Allow me to help you with the bags.)

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Common Mistakes and Tips for Avoiding Them

Many people learning Spanish mix up when to use ‘perdón,’ ‘perdona,’ and ‘perdone.’ This mix-up can make conversations awkward or even incorrect.

Here’s a simple way to remember:

🟥 Mixing up formal and informal
Don’t say perdona to a stranger—it can sound rude. Stick with perdone in public settings.

🟥 Using lo siento for every excuse
Lo siento is deep. Use it for real mistakes, not for small things like walking by someone.

🟥 Saying con permiso when you mean sorry
Con permiso is not for apologies. It’s for passing by, like squeezing through a crowd.

🟥 Overusing disculpe
It’s polite, but if you use it for every little thing, it can seem robotic. Match your tone to the moment.

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What are some examples of how to use perdone and perdona?

Let’s break down when to use ‘perdone’ and ‘perdona’ in Spanish, focusing on apologies.

Use ‘perdone’ in formal situations, like when talking to someone you don’t know well or a person in a higher position. For example, you might say, ‘Perdone, could you tell me how to get to the museum?’

On the other hand, use ‘perdona’ with people you’re familiar with, such as friends. You could say, ‘Perdona, I didn’t see you there.’

Spanish Phrase	Meaning in English
Perdone, ¿puedo pasar?	Excuse me, may I pass?
Perdona, ¿me ayudas con esto?	Excuse me, can you help me with this?
Perdone, no fue mi culpa.	Excuse me, it wasn’t my fault.
Perdona, no era mi intención.	Sorry, I didn’t mean to.
Perdone, ¿a qué hora abre la tienda?	Excuse me, what time does the store open?
Perdona, llegué tarde.	Sorry, I arrived late.
Perdone, ¿me puede decir cómo llegar?	Excuse me, can you tell me how to get there?
Perdona, estaba distraído.	Sorry, I was distracted.
Perdone, ¿me permite un momento?	Excuse me, may I have a moment?
Perdona, ¿te molesta si abro la ventana?	Excuse me, do you mind if I open the window?

Conclusion

It’s crucial to know how to say ‘excuse me’ in Spanish. You can use ‘Perdón,’ ‘Perdona,’ or ‘Perdone’ depending on the situation. These phrases help you be polite and show respect.

Also, knowing how to say ‘I’m sorry’ as ‘Lo siento’ can help you handle different social scenes better. Using these phrases properly can really improve how you connect with people and make sure everyone understands you in Spanish-speaking places.

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