How to Say Sorry in Spanish: Casual and Formal
Spanish has a few different ways to say sorry, and they are not interchangeable. One is for bumping into someone, another is for genuine regret or sympathy. Here is which to use, how to pronounce it, and how to sound sincere.
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What's in this guide
The main ways to say sorry
Spanish spreads the idea of sorry across several words, each with its own job. Here are the ones you will actually use.
- perdon (pehr-DOHN) sorry, pardon, a quick apology
- lo siento (loh see-EN-toh) I am sorry, for regret or sympathy
- disculpa (dees-KOOL-pah) excuse me, sorry, casual
- perdona (pehr-DOH-nah) forgive me, excuse me, casual
The big distinction is between a light, in-the-moment sorry like perdon and a heartfelt one like lo siento. Get that split right and you will avoid the most common awkwardness. The next sections break down exactly when each fits.
Perdon for quick apologies
Perdon is your fast, everyday sorry. Use it when you bump into someone, squeeze past in a crowd, interrupt to ask a question, or make a small slip.
It is short, versatile, and works in almost any casual or semi-formal situation. Think of it as the Spanish equivalent of a quick sorry or pardon me. You can also use it to get someone attention politely, like saying excuse me before asking directions. Because it is so flexible, perdon is a great default when you need to apologize on the spot and do not want to overthink it. It carries no heavy emotional weight, which is exactly why it fits minor moments.
Lo siento for real regret
Lo siento literally means I feel it, and it carries genuine emotion. Reach for it when you truly regret something or when you want to express sympathy.
Use it when you have let someone down, made a real mistake, or are offering condolences, as in lo siento mucho (I am very sorry) to someone who has lost a loved one. Because it is sincere and a little weighty, using lo siento for a tiny bump can sound oddly dramatic, like over-apologizing in English. Save it for moments that deserve real feeling, and it will land as heartfelt rather than casual.
Disculpa and perdona, casual and formal
Disculpa and perdona both work like excuse me or a light sorry, and both have formal versions for when you are addressing someone with respect.
- disculpa (dees-KOOL-pah) casual, to a friend
- disculpe (dees-KOOL-peh) formal, to a stranger or elder
- perdona (pehr-DOH-nah) casual
- perdone (pehr-DOH-neh) formal
The switch from a final a to a final e moves the word from informal tu to formal usted. Use the formal forms with people you do not know, older people, or in professional settings. These are ideal for getting attention politely or apologizing for a small inconvenience with a touch of courtesy.
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Pronunciation notes that matter
Spanish is phonetic, so once you know the stresses these words are easy.
- perdon is pehr-DOHN, with the stress on the second syllable and a rolled or tapped r.
- lo siento is loh see-EN-toh, three clear syllables in siento.
- disculpa is dees-KOOL-pah, stress on the middle syllable.
The r in perdon is a single tap, not a hard English r, and the vowels stay clean and short throughout. Do not worry about a perfect rolled r right away. Clear vowels and the right stress will make you easily understood across Spain and Latin America.
Common mistakes to avoid
A few slips are common, and each is simple to fix.
- Using lo siento for a tiny bump, which can sound over-dramatic. Use perdon instead.
- Using casual disculpa with a stranger or elder where the formal disculpe fits better.
- Reaching for perdon when someone shares bad news, where the sympathetic lo siento is what they need to hear.
The fastest way to get the feel for which word fits is to hear them used in real situations and say them out loud yourself. Practicing short exchanges, even with an AI speaking partner, helps you match the apology to the moment so the right word comes out automatically.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most common way to say sorry in Spanish?
Perdon (pehr-DOHN) is the most common quick sorry, used for bumps, interruptions, and small slips. For genuine regret or sympathy, use lo siento.
When should I use lo siento?
Use lo siento (loh see-EN-toh) for real regret or sympathy, such as apologizing for a genuine mistake or offering condolences. It can sound over-dramatic for a minor bump.
What is the difference between disculpa and disculpe?
Disculpa is the casual form used with friends, and disculpe is the formal form for strangers, elders, and professional settings. The same pattern applies to perdona and perdone.
How do you say I am very sorry in Spanish?
Say lo siento mucho (loh see-EN-toh MOO-choh). It adds emphasis to lo siento and is common when offering condolences or apologizing for something serious.