Learning how to apologize in Spanish is no small feat, because there are several ways to say you're sorry, by apologizing or asking for forgiveness, it all depends on the context. Whether you are asking someone to apologize for a small thing or a greater transgression, it is important to know how to use an appropriate form. Fortunately, this article tells you how!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: An Everyday Excuse
Step 1. Use "perdón" to apologize in minor situations
Essentially Perdón is the equivalent of the Italian "excuse" or "excuse me."
- "perdón", pronounced "perr-donn" can be used in all minor daily incidents, such as bumping into someone or interrupting.
- Alternatively, you can say "perdóname", pronounced "perr-donn-a-me", to apologize more directly.
Step 2. Use "disculpa" to apologize for minor incidents
The word disculpa, which translates as "sorry" or "sorry" and is pronounced "dis-kul-pa" can be used to mean "forgive me." It is appropriate for minor incidents where you need to apologize. It is used in the same situations of perdón.
- When you informally apologize you say "tú disculpa;" but when you formally apologize, you say "usted disculpe." When you say "tú disculpa" or "usted disculpe", you are literally saying "sorry / excuse me".
- The result is that, "tú disculpa" and "usted disculpe" are listener-oriented excuses, because they make him the subject of the sentence. This structure, which is very common in Spanish, places emphasis on the listener's ability to forgive, rather than your feelings of displeasure.
- Alternatively you can say "'discúlpame", pronounced "dis-kul-pa-me", which simply means "forgive me" or "sorry".
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Asking a Serious Apology
Step 1. Use "lo siento" to express remorse or to ask for forgiveness
Lo siento, which literally means "I feel it," is the phrase that beginners of the Spanish language will learn to use for all occasions. In fact, siento should only be used in fairly serious situations where deep feelings are involved. Saying "lo siento" after accidentally bumping into someone, for example, is a bit excessive.
- You can also say "lo siento mucho" or "lo siento muchísimo," meaning "I'm very sorry" or "I'm very sorry." Another variation with the same meaning is "cuánto lo siento." (how sorry)
- This type of excuse is appropriate for serious situations such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a layoff, or a layoff.
- Lo siento is pronounced "lo si-en-to".
Step 2. Say "the lament" to express deep sorrow
The lament literally means "I'm sorry." It can be used in place of lo siento to express remorse in serious situations.
To say "I'm very sorry", you can use the phrase "lo lamento mucho", which is pronounced "lo la-men-to mu-cio"
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Using Apologetic Phrases
Step 1. Say "I'm sorry about what happened"
To say this he uses the phrase "lo siento lo ocurrido," which is pronounced "lo si-en-to lo o-curr-i-do".
Step 2. Say "a thousand excuses"
To say this, use the phrase "mil disculpas", pronounced "mil dis-kul-pas".
Step 3. Say "I owe you an apology."
To say this, use the phrase "te debo una disculpa", pronounced "te de-bo u-na dis-kul-pa".
Step 4. Say "please accept my apologies"
To say this, use the phrase "le ruego me disculpe", pronounced "le ru-e-go me dis-kul-pe".
Step 5. Say I'm sorry for the things I said
To say this, use the phrase Yo pido perdón por las cosas que he dicho, pronounced Yo pi-do perr-donn por las ko-sas ke he di-cio.
Step 6. Say "I was wrong" or "it's my fault"
To say "I was wrong", use the phrase "me equivoqué", pronounced "me e-ki-vo-ke". To say "it's my fault" use the phrase "es culpa mía", pronounced "es kul-pa mi-ah".
Step 7. Apologize in a personalized way
Try to use the Spanish excuses you see above by combining them with other words to build an excuse specific to your situation.
Advice
- When you are with native Spaniards, pay attention to how they apologize in different situations. Using these social cues will make you feel more confident in choosing an appropriate excuse.
- Make sure you have an expression and tone appropriate to the severity of your apology. As a non-native speaker, it may be difficult for you to focus on anything other than vocabulary and grammar, but note that the non-verbal aspects of your excuse usually indicate the sincerity of your words.
- At a funeral, when you have to offer condolences, see what others are doing; you can shake hands with men, without too much force and by lowering your head a little, you can give women a light hug and an even lighter kiss cheek to cheek, single or double. In both situations, add in a low voice a "lo siento mucho".
- If you need to write a condolence letter, do your research and find the specific vocabulary used in this case.
