How to Say “I’m Sorry” in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Expressing remorse is a crucial aspect of effective communication in any language. In Spanish, there are several ways to say “I’m sorry,” each with its own nuance and appropriate context.

Mastering these expressions allows you to convey your apologies accurately and sincerely, fostering stronger relationships and avoiding misunderstandings. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the various ways to apologize in Spanish, covering everything from basic phrases to more formal expressions.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to express your apologies effectively in Spanish. Understanding these expressions will enhance your ability to navigate social situations and communicate with confidence.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of “I’m Sorry” in Spanish
• Structural Breakdown
• Types of Apologies in Spanish
  • Lo Siento
  • Perdón
  • Disculpa
  • Expressions of Regret and Remorse
• Examples
  • “Lo Siento” Examples
  • “Perdón” Examples
  • “Disculpa” Examples
  • Expressions of Regret Examples
• Usage Rules
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
• Advanced Topics
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of “I’m Sorry” in Spanish

The concept of “I’m sorry” in Spanish encompasses a range of expressions used to convey apology, regret, or remorse. The specific phrase used depends on the context, the severity of the offense, and the relationship between the speaker and the person being apologized to.

These expressions can be broadly classified into a few key terms, each carrying a distinct nuance. Understanding these nuances is crucial for selecting the appropriate expression and effectively conveying your feelings.

The most common translations of “I’m sorry” in Spanish are: Lo siento, Perdón, and Disculpa. While all three convey a sense of apology, they are not interchangeable. Lo siento is generally used to express sympathy or regret, often in response to someone’s misfortune. Perdón is used to ask for forgiveness, typically after committing a minor offense or making a mistake. Disculpa is more formal than Perdón and is often used to apologize for more significant errors or inconveniences. Additionally, phrases expressing deeper regret or remorse, such as “Me arrepiento” (I regret) or “Estoy apenado/a” (I am sorry/ashamed), can be used to convey a stronger sense of apology.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of expressing “I’m sorry” in Spanish is relatively straightforward, but understanding the components helps in using the expressions correctly. Each expression has its own structural characteristics.

Lo siento is a fixed phrase. Lo is a direct object pronoun referring to the situation or event that caused the regret, and siento is the first-person singular present tense of the verb sentir (to feel). Therefore, it literally translates to “I feel it.”

Perdón and Disculpa function similarly. They can be used as interjections or nouns. As interjections, they stand alone as expressions of apology. As nouns, they often appear in phrases such as “Pido perdón” (I ask for forgiveness) or “Ofrezco mis disculpas” (I offer my apologies). The verbs used with these nouns often indicate the action of apologizing.

Expressions of regret often involve the verb arrepentirse (to regret) in the reflexive form. For example, “Me arrepiento de…” (I regret…). The de is followed by the action or event that is regretted. Other expressions may use verbs like lamentar (to regret) or adjectives like apenado/a (sorry/ashamed) with the verb estar (to be). Understanding these structures allows for a more nuanced and accurate expression of apology.

Types of Apologies in Spanish

Spanish offers a variety of ways to express “I’m sorry,” each with its own level of formality and specific usage. Here’s a breakdown of the most common expressions:

Lo Siento

Lo siento is perhaps the most versatile way to say “I’m sorry” in Spanish. It is used to express sympathy, regret, or sorrow for someone else’s misfortune or a mistake you’ve made. It is suitable for a wide range of situations, from offering condolences to apologizing for a minor inconvenience. The phrase conveys a general sense of regret or empathy.

Perdón

Perdón is used to ask for forgiveness. It’s appropriate when you’ve made a mistake or caused a minor inconvenience and are seeking the other person’s pardon. It can also be used to get someone’s attention, similar to saying “excuse me.” It implies a recognition of wrongdoing and a request for understanding.

Disculpa

Disculpa is a more formal way to say “I’m sorry” than Perdón. It is used for more significant offenses or when addressing someone in a formal setting. It can also be used as a noun, as in “Mis disculpas” (My apologies). It conveys a higher degree of respect and acknowledgement of the seriousness of the situation.

Expressions of Regret and Remorse

Spanish offers several expressions to convey deeper regret or remorse. These are used when a simple “I’m sorry” doesn’t suffice.

Phrases like “Me arrepiento” (I regret) or “Estoy apenado/a” (I am sorry/ashamed) express a stronger sense of responsibility and sorrow for the action or event. These expressions are more impactful and reserved for serious situations.

Examples

To fully understand how to use these expressions, let’s look at some examples.

“Lo Siento” Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use “Lo Siento” in different contexts. It includes the Spanish phrase, its English translation, and a brief explanation of the context.

Spanish	English	Context
Lo siento mucho por tu pérdida.	I’m so sorry for your loss.	Expressing condolences.
Lo siento, no puedo ayudarte con eso.	I’m sorry, I can’t help you with that.	Declining a request.
Lo siento, llegué tarde.	I’m sorry, I’m late.	Apologizing for tardiness.
Lo siento, no entendí.	I’m sorry, I didn’t understand.	Apologizing for misunderstanding.
Lo siento, me equivoqué.	I’m sorry, I was wrong.	Admitting a mistake.
Lo siento por el ruido.	I’m sorry for the noise.	Apologizing for causing a disturbance.
Lo siento, no lo sabía.	I’m sorry, I didn’t know.	Apologizing for ignorance.
Lo siento, no era mi intención.	I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention.	Apologizing for unintended consequences.
Lo siento, estoy ocupado.	I’m sorry, I’m busy.	Declining an invitation.
Lo siento, no puedo ir.	I’m sorry, I can’t go.	Apologizing for absence.
Lo siento, no te escuché.	I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.	Apologizing for not listening.
Lo siento, te lastimé.	I’m sorry, I hurt you.	Apologizing for causing pain.
Lo siento, te hice esperar.	I’m sorry, I made you wait.	Apologizing for keeping someone waiting.
Lo siento, no tengo tiempo.	I’m sorry, I don’t have time.	Declining a request due to lack of time.
Lo siento, olvidé tu cumpleaños.	I’m sorry, I forgot your birthday.	Apologizing for forgetting an important date.
Lo siento, no pude venir antes.	I’m sorry, I couldn’t come sooner.	Apologizing for delayed arrival.
Lo siento, no tengo dinero.	I’m sorry, I don’t have money.	Apologizing for not being able to provide money.
Lo siento, no tengo idea.	I’m sorry, I have no idea.	Apologizing for not knowing the answer.
Lo siento, perdí tu libro.	I’m sorry, I lost your book.	Apologizing for losing something.
Lo siento, rompí tu vaso.	I’m sorry, I broke your glass.	Apologizing for breaking something.
Lo siento, dañé tu coche.	I’m sorry, I damaged your car.	Apologizing for damaging something.
Lo siento, no estoy de acuerdo.	I’m sorry, I don’t agree.	Expressing disagreement politely.
Lo siento, no puedo ayudarte ahora.	I’m sorry, I can’t help you now.	Declining to help at the present moment.
Lo siento, no puedo contarte.	I’m sorry, I can’t tell you.	Apologizing for not being able to share information.
Lo siento, fue mi culpa.	I’m sorry, it was my fault.	Taking responsibility for a mistake.

As shown in the table, “Lo siento” is widely applicable in various situations.

“Perdón” Examples

The following table shows examples of using “Perdón” to ask for forgiveness or to get someone’s attention. Each example includes the Spanish phrase, English translation, and a brief explanation.

Spanish	English	Context
Perdón, ¿me puedes ayudar?	Excuse me, can you help me?	Getting someone’s attention to ask for help.
Perdón por llegar tarde.	Sorry for being late.	Apologizing for tardiness.
Perdón, no lo hice a propósito.	Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.	Apologizing for an unintentional action.
Perdón, ¿puedo pasar?	Excuse me, may I pass?	Asking to pass through a crowded space.
Perdón por interrumpir.	Sorry for interrupting.	Apologizing for interrupting a conversation.
Perdón, no te oí.	Sorry, I didn’t hear you.	Apologizing for not hearing someone.
Perdón, me equivoqué.	Sorry, I was wrong.	Admitting a mistake.
Perdón por el error.	Sorry for the mistake.	Apologizing for an error.
Perdón, ¿tienes hora?	Excuse me, do you have the time?	Asking for the time.
Perdón, ¿dónde está el baño?	Excuse me, where is the bathroom?	Asking for directions.
Perdón, ¿cuánto cuesta?	Excuse me, how much does it cost?	Asking about the price of something.
Perdón, ¿hablas inglés?	Excuse me, do you speak English?	Asking if someone speaks English.
Perdón, no entiendo.	Sorry, I don’t understand.	Apologizing for not understanding.
Perdón por molestarte.	Sorry for bothering you.	Apologizing for causing inconvenience.
Perdón, ¿puedes repetir?	Sorry, can you repeat?	Asking someone to repeat what they said.
Perdón por la tardanza.	Sorry for the delay.	Apologizing for a delay.
Perdón, no lo sabía.	Sorry, I didn’t know.	Apologizing for not knowing something.
Perdón, ¿hay alguien aquí?	Excuse me, is someone here?	Checking if a seat or space is occupied.
Perdón, ¿me dejas pasar?	Excuse me, will you let me pass?	Asking to pass through a crowded space.
Perdón, ¿está libre este asiento?	Excuse me, is this seat free?	Asking if a seat is available.
Perdón, ¿cómo llego a la estación?	Excuse me, how do I get to the station?	Asking for directions to the station.
Perdón, ¿aceptan tarjetas de crédito?	Excuse me, do you accept credit cards?	Asking if a store accepts credit cards.
Perdón, ¿a qué hora abre la tienda?	Excuse me, what time does the store open?	Asking about the opening hours of a store.
Perdón, ¿hay un cajero automático cerca?	Excuse me, is there an ATM nearby?	Asking if there is an ATM nearby.
Perdón, ¿me puede decir la hora, por favor?	Excuse me, can you tell me the time, please?	Politely asking for the time.

As demonstrated above, “Perdón” is frequently used in situations where you need to ask for something or apologize for a minor infraction. It’s a polite way to get someone’s attention or acknowledge a small mistake.

“Disculpa” Examples

The following table provides examples of how to use “Disculpa” in more formal or serious situations. Each example includes the Spanish phrase, English translation, and context.

Spanish	English	Context
Disculpa, no debí decir eso.	I apologize, I shouldn’t have said that.	Apologizing for saying something inappropriate.
Disculpa, te he causado muchos problemas.	I apologize, I have caused you many problems.	Apologizing for causing significant issues.
Disculpa, mi comportamiento fue inaceptable.	I apologize, my behavior was unacceptable.	Acknowledging and apologizing for unacceptable behavior.
Disculpa, no volverá a suceder.	I apologize, it won’t happen again.	Promising that the mistake will not be repeated.
Disculpa, lamento mucho mi error.	I apologize, I deeply regret my mistake.	Expressing deep regret for a mistake.
Disculpa, ¿podría hablar con el gerente?	Excuse me, could I speak with the manager?	Requesting to speak with the manager in a formal setting.
Disculpa, pero creo que hay un error en la cuenta.	Excuse me, but I think there is an error in the bill.	Pointing out an error in a formal and polite manner.
Disculpa las molestias.	Sorry for the inconvenience.	Apologizing for causing inconvenience.
Mis disculpas por el retraso.	My apologies for the delay.	Formally apologizing for a delay.
Le ofrezco mis más sinceras disculpas.	I offer you my sincerest apologies.	Offering a very sincere apology.
Disculpa, no era mi intención ofenderte.	I apologize, it was not my intention to offend you.	Apologizing for unintentionally causing offense.
Disculpa, no me di cuenta de que estabas ahí.	I apologize, I didn’t realize you were there.	Apologizing for not noticing someone.
Disculpa, pensé que era diferente.	I apologize, I thought it was different.	Apologizing for a misunderstanding.
Disculpa, no estoy de acuerdo con eso.	Excuse me, but I don’t agree with that.	Politely disagreeing with someone in a formal setting.
Disculpa, pero necesito hablar contigo en privado.	Excuse me, but I need to speak with you in private.	Requesting a private conversation.
Disculpa, ¿puedo hacer una pregunta?	Excuse me, may I ask a question?	Politely asking to ask a question.
Disculpa, ¿me puedes ayudar con esto?	Excuse me, can you help me with this?	Politely asking for help.
Disculpa, ¿hay alguien que hable inglés aquí?	Excuse me, is there anyone here who speaks English?	Asking if anyone speaks English.
Disculpa, ¿dónde puedo encontrar un taxi?	Excuse me, where can I find a taxi?	Asking for directions in a polite manner.
Disculpa, ¿cuál es la contraseña del wifi?	Excuse me, what is the Wi-Fi password?	Politely asking for the Wi-Fi password.
Disculpa, ¿me puede dar un vaso de agua?	Excuse me, can you give me a glass of water?	Politely asking for a glass of water.
Disculpa, ¿a qué hora sale el próximo tren?	Excuse me, what time does the next train leave?	Asking about the train schedule.
Disculpa, ¿me puede decir cómo llegar al museo?	Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to the museum?	Politely asking for directions to the museum.
Disculpa, ¿tiene habitaciones disponibles?	Excuse me, do you have any rooms available?	Asking about room availability in a hotel.
Disculpa, ¿me puede traer la cuenta, por favor?	Excuse me, can you bring me the bill, please?	Politely asking for the bill in a restaurant.

As the table shows, “Disculpa” is more formal and is used in situations that require a higher level of respect or when the offense is more significant. It’s also used to politely ask for something in a formal setting.

Expressions of Regret Examples

This table illustrates expressions of deep regret and remorse. These are used when you want to convey a strong sense of sorrow for your actions.

Each example includes the Spanish phrase, its English translation, and context.

Spanish	English	Context
Me arrepiento profundamente de mis acciones.	I deeply regret my actions.	Expressing deep remorse for one’s actions.
Estoy apenado por lo que hice.	I am ashamed of what I did.	Expressing shame and regret.
Lamento mucho haberte lastimado.	I deeply regret hurting you.	Expressing regret for causing pain.
Me siento culpable por mi error.	I feel guilty for my mistake.	Expressing guilt for a mistake.
Ojalá pudiera deshacer lo que hice.	I wish I could undo what I did.	Expressing a desire to reverse one’s actions.
Estoy consternado por mi comportamiento.	I am dismayed by my behavior.	Expressing dismay at one’s behavior.
Me avergüenza mi error.	I am ashamed of my mistake.	Expressing shame for a mistake.
Desearía haber actuado de otra manera.	I wish I had acted differently.	Expressing a wish to have acted differently.
Estoy arrepentido de mis palabras.	I regret my words.	Expressing regret for one’s words.
Me duele haberte decepcionado.	It hurts me to have disappointed you.	Expressing sorrow for disappointing someone.
Lamento profundamente mi falta de juicio.	I deeply regret my lack of judgment.	Expressing regret for poor judgment.
Estoy desconsolado por las consecuencias.	I am heartbroken by the consequences.	Expressing heartbreak over the consequences of one’s actions.
Me culpo por lo que pasó.	I blame myself for what happened.	Taking responsibility and blaming oneself for an event.
Estoy atormentado por mi error.	I am tormented by my mistake.	Expressing torment over a mistake.
Me siento responsable de lo que ocurrió.	I feel responsible for what happened.	Expressing a sense of responsibility for an event.
Lamento no haber estado ahí para ti.	I regret not being there for you.	Expressing regret for not being present for someone.
Me arrepiento de no haberte creído.	I regret not believing you.	Expressing regret for not believing someone.
Estoy destrozado por mi error.	I am devastated by my mistake.	Expressing devastation over a mistake.
Me arrepiento de haberte fallado.	I regret having failed you.	Expressing regret for failing someone.
Estoy profundamente afectado por mis acciones.	I am deeply affected by my actions.	Expressing deep emotional impact from one’s actions.
Me arrepiento de haberte gritado.	I regret yelling at you.	Expressing regret for raising one’s voice.
Estoy apenado de haberte mentido.	I am ashamed of having lied to you.	Expressing shame for lying to someone.
Lamento no haberte escuchado.	I regret not listening to you.	Expressing regret for not paying attention.
Me arrepiento de haberte ignorado.	I regret ignoring you.	Expressing regret for disregarding someone.

These expressions are used to convey a strong sense of remorse and regret, suitable for serious situations where a simple “I’m sorry” is not enough.

Usage Rules

To use these expressions correctly, it’s essential to understand the specific rules governing their usage:

• Lo siento is generally used for expressing sympathy or regret over a situation. It’s versatile and can be used in various contexts, but it’s not always suitable for asking for forgiveness directly.
• Perdón is used to ask for forgiveness for minor offenses or to get someone’s attention. It implies that you recognize you’ve done something wrong and are seeking pardon.
• Disculpa is more formal and is used for more significant offenses or when interacting with someone in a formal setting. It conveys a higher level of respect and acknowledgment of the seriousness of the situation.
• Expressions of regret, such as “Me arrepiento,” are used to convey a deeper sense of remorse and responsibility. These are reserved for situations where a simple apology is insufficient.

When choosing which expression to use, consider the context, the severity of the offense, and your relationship with the person you’re apologizing to. Using the wrong expression can either downplay the seriousness of the situation or come across as insincere.

Common Mistakes

Here are some common mistakes learners make when using “I’m sorry” in Spanish:

• Using “Lo siento” when “Perdón” or “Disculpa” is more appropriate: For example, saying “Lo siento” after accidentally stepping on someone’s foot. “Perdón” would be more appropriate in this case.
• Using “Perdón” in a formal situation: For example, saying “Perdón” to your boss after missing an important deadline. “Disculpa” or “Mis disculpas” would be more suitable.
• Misusing expressions of regret: Using phrases like “Me arrepiento” for minor inconveniences can sound overly dramatic. Save these expressions for more serious situations.
• Incorrect verb conjugation: Ensure that the verbs used in expressions of regret are correctly conjugated. For example, “Me arrepiento” (I regret) is correct, but “Yo arrepiento” is incorrect.

Here are some examples of correct vs. incorrect usage:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Lo siento por pisarte el pie.	Perdón por pisarte el pie.	“Perdón” is more appropriate for a minor offense like stepping on someone’s foot.
Perdón, Señor Presidente, por llegar tarde.	Disculpa, Señor Presidente, por llegar tarde.	“Disculpa” is more formal and suitable for addressing a president.
Lo siento que no pude venir.	Lo siento que no pude venir. (Grammatically incorrect) Lamento no haber podido venir.	“Lo siento” needs to be followed by a noun or adjective. To express regret for not being able to come, use “Lamento no haber podido venir.”
Yo arrepiento de mis acciones.	Me arrepiento de mis acciones.	The verb “arrepentirse” is reflexive and requires the reflexive pronoun “me.”

Being aware of these common mistakes can help you avoid errors and express your apologies more accurately.

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the most appropriate expression to complete each sentence.

Question	Options	Answer
____, no te escuché bien. ¿Puedes repetir?	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	b) Perdón
____ mucho por tu pérdida.	a) Perdón b) Disculpa c) Lo siento	c) Lo siento
____, mi comportamiento fue inaceptable.	a) Perdón b) Disculpa c) Lo siento	b) Disculpa
____, ¿me puedes ayudar a encontrar la estación?	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	b) Perdón
____, no era mi intención ofenderte.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	c) Disculpa
____, olvidé tu cumpleaños.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	a) Lo siento
____ las molestias causadas.	a) Perdón b) Disculpa c) Lo siento	b) Disculpa
____, llegué tarde a la reunión.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	a) Lo siento
____, ¿puedo pasar?	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	b) Perdón
Me ____ profundamente de mis errores.	a) siento b) perdono c) arrepiento	c) arrepiento

Here are some additional exercises:

Question	Options	Answer
____, no sabía que estabas ahí.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	c) Disculpa
____, ¿tienes hora?	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	b) Perdón
____, no puedo ayudarte con eso.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	a) Lo siento
____, mi error fue imperdonable.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	c) Disculpa
____, no debí haber dicho eso.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	c) Disculpa
____ mucho haberte fallado.	a) siento b) arrepiento c) disculpo	b) arrepiento
____, te lastimé con mis palabras.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	c) Disculpa
____ por la demora en responder.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	c) Disculpa
____, ¿me puedes repetir tu nombre?	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	b) Perdón
____, no era mi intención hacerte daño.	a) Lo siento b) Perdón c) Disculpa	a) Lo siento

Advanced Topics

For advanced learners, here are some more nuanced expressions and considerations:

• Adding emphasis: To emphasize your apology, you can add adverbs like “mucho” (much) or “profundamente” (deeply). For example, “Lo siento mucho” (I’m very sorry) or “Me arrepiento profundamente” (I deeply regret).
• Using conditional tense: To express a wish that things were different, you can use the conditional tense. For example, “Me gustaría pedirte disculpas” (I would like to apologize to you).
• Combining expressions: You can combine different expressions to convey a more complex apology. For example, “Lo siento mucho y te pido perdón” (I’m very sorry and I ask for your forgiveness).
• Regional variations: The specific expressions used and their connotations can vary slightly depending on the Spanish-speaking region. Be aware of these variations and adapt your language accordingly.

FAQ

Conclusion

Expressing “I’m sorry” in Spanish involves understanding the nuances of various expressions and choosing the appropriate one based on context, severity, and your relationship with the person you’re apologizing to. Mastering “Lo siento,” “Perdón,” “Disculpa,” and expressions of regret will enable you to communicate more effectively and sincerely in Spanish.

By avoiding common mistakes and practicing these expressions, you can enhance your ability to navigate social situations and build stronger relationships. Remember to consider the specific context and your audience when choosing the most suitable way to express your apology.

With practice and attention to detail, you can convey your remorse effectively and appropriately in any situation.