19 Different Ways to Say "Excuse Me" in Spanish (2024)

Today, we’re diving into a fundamental aspect of polite conversation – saying “excuse me in Spanish.” Whether you’re navigating bustling streets in Madrid, trying to catch a waiter’s attention in Mexico City, or apologizing for a misstep in Buenos Aires, knowing how to articulate this phrase is essential. Let’s explore 19 different expressions, each fitting various contexts and levels of formality.

Saying ‘Excuse Me’ in Spanish: A Guide to Polite Phrases

Whether it’s a small misstep or getting someone’s attention, knowing how to say “excuse me” in Spanish is an invaluable social skill.

“Perdón”

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A universal, versatile phrase often used in situations where “excuse me” is appropriate. Its usage ranges from casual to semi-formal scenarios.

• Spanish: “Perdón, ¿sabes dónde está el baño?”
• English: “Excuse me, do you know where the bathroom is?”
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“Disculpe”

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A formal variant, suitable for getting attention or initiating requests. It’s akin to “excuse me” in professional or respectful interactions.

• Spanish: “Disculpe, ¿podría darme la hora?”
• English: “Excuse me, could you tell me the time?”
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“Discúlpame”

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More personal and casual, used among friends or family. It translates to “excuse me” in informal settings, particularly when apologizing for minor err

• Spanish: “Discúlpame, no fue mi intención empujarte.”
• English: “Sorry, I didn’t mean to push you.”
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“Con permiso”

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Directly translates to “with permission” and is commonly used like “excuse me” to navigate through a crowd or to politely move past someone.

• Spanish: “Con permiso, necesito pasar.”
• English: “Excuse me, I need to get through.”
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“Permiso”

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  See Also

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Similar to “con permiso,” this is a shorter, yet polite way of excusing oneself, especially when passing through a crowd or entering a room. It’s casual and widely used.

• Spanish: “Permiso, necesito llegar a esa estantería.”
• English: “Excuse me, I need to get to that shelf.”
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“Lo siento”

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Primarily an apology phrase, it’s used as “excuse me” in contexts where actions have unintended consequences, similar to “perdóneme.”

• Spanish: “Lo siento, olvidé nuestra cita.”
• English: “I am sorry, I forgot our appointment.”
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“Disculpa”

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The informal counterpart to “disculpe,” used for light apologies or as an informal “excuse me” among acquaintances or peers.

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• Spanish: “Disculpa, ¿este es tu libro?”
• English: “Sorry, is this your book?”
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“Mis disculpas”

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A direct and formal apology, suitable in professional contexts or when a formal “excuse me” is required to acknowledge a mistake.

• Spanish: “Mis disculpas por el malentendido.”
• English: “My apologies for the misunderstanding.”
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“Perdóname”

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Conveys deeper remorse. In close relationships, it can be used as “excuse me” for more serious or personal matters.

• Spanish: “Perdóname por no llamarte ayer.”
• English: “Forgive me for not calling you yesterday.”
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“¡Ay perdón!”

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An exclamation for immediate, often unintentional actions. It’s an informal way to quickly say “excuse me” in a spontaneous situation.

• Spanish: “¡Ay perdón! No te vi ahí.”
• English: “Oh sorry! I didn’t see you there.”
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“Perdón por la molestia”

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  See Also

  3 Easy Ways to Say "Excuse Me" in Spanish - wikiHow

Used to preface a request that might inconvenience someone, showing consideration and politeness similar to “excuse me.”

• Spanish: “Perdón por la molestia, ¿puedes ayudarme?”
• English: “Sorry to bother you, can you help me?”
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“Me podría disculpar”

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A formal request for forgiveness, often in professional settings. It can be akin to “excuse me” in acknowledging and apologizing for an error.

• Spanish: “Me podría disculpar, fue un error.”
• English: “Could you forgive me, it was a mistake.”
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“Siento mucho”

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Used for expressing deep regret in serious situations. It can serve as a respectful “excuse me” in acknowledging major faults or losses.

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• Spanish: “Siento mucho la pérdida de tu abuelo.”
• English: “I am very sorry for the loss of your grandfather.”
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“Favor de disculparme”

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A polite, formal way to ask for forgiveness. It’s used in formal settings where “excuse me” is needed to address interruptions or minor errors.

• Spanish: “Favor de disculparme por la interrupción.”
• English: “Please excuse me for the interruption.”
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“Perdón, ¿puede repetir?”

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Commonly used in conversations to politely request repetition. It’s an equivalent of “excuse me” when asking for clarification.

• Spanish: “Perdón, ¿puede repetir lo que dijo?”
• English: “Excuse me, can you repeat what you said?”
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“Oiga, disculpe”

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A respectful way to attract someone’s attention, especially a stranger. It’s similar to “excuse me” when initiating a conversation.

• Spanish: “Oiga, disculpe, ¿este tren va a Toledo?”
• English: “Hey, excuse me, does this train go to Toledo?”
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“Pido disculpas”

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formal way to apologize, often used in official communications. It’s similar to a formal “excuse me” in acknowledging and addressing mistakes.

• Spanish: “Pido disculpas por cualquier inconveniente causado.”
• English: “I apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
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“¡Ups, perdón!”

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An informal, spontaneous expression for minor mishaps. It’s a casual way to quickly say “excuse me” in light-hearted situations.

• Spanish: “¡Ups, perdón! No quería romper eso.”
• English: “Oops, sorry! I didn’t mean to break that.”
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“Por favor”

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While directly translating to “please,” “por favor” can be used to soften a request or an interruption, serving a similar purpose as “excuse me.”

• Spanish: “Por favor, ¿podrías pasarme la sal?”
• English: “Excuse me, could you pass me the salt?”
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“Discúlpame por interrumpir”

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Used to politely interrupt a conversation or meeting, showing respect for the participants. It’s a courteous way to say “excuse me” before speaking.

• Spanish: “Discúlpame por interrumpir tu conversación.”
• English: “Excuse me for interrupting your conversation.”
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Understanding the nuances of these phrases is more than just language learning. It’s about embracing the cultural context of ‘excuse me’ in Spanish-speaking countries, where courtesy and respect play a vital role in daily interactions.

Conclusion

In wrapping up, it’s clear that the Spanish language offers a rich palette of expressions for “excuse me,” each suited to different scenarios. Embracing these phrases will not only enhance your Spanish communication skills but also deepen your appreciation for the nuances of Hispanic culture and etiquette.

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