How to Say Sorry in Spanish: Apologies That Actually Work

Learning how to say sorry in Spanish goes way beyond just memorizing "lo siento." If you've ever tried to apologize in Spanish and gotten confused looks, or wondered why there are so many different ways to express regret, you're definitely not alone. The truth is, Spanish has several apology phrases that shift depending on who you're talking to, how formal the situation is, and how serious your mistake was. Getting this right matters because using the wrong phrase can make you sound either too casual or weirdly formal. Let's break down exactly how to apologize in Spanish so you actually sound natural.

The basic ways to say sorry in Spanish

Here's the thing about Spanish apologies: you've got three main phrases that cover most situations, and they're not totally interchangeable.

"Lo siento" is probably what you learned first. It literally translates to "I feel it," which sounds weird in English but makes sense when you think about expressing genuine regret. This works for most everyday apologies, from bumping into someone to forgetting your friend's birthday. You'll hear this constantly in Spain and Latin America.

"Perdón" is another super common option. This one means "pardon" or "forgiveness," and it's what you'd say when you need to squeeze past someone on a crowded bus or if you accidentally step on someone's foot. It's quick and works for minor stuff.

"Disculpa" comes from the verb "disculpar" (to excuse), so you're basically saying "excuse me" or asking someone to overlook your mistake. The cool part about this word is that it changes based on formality, which we'll get into in a second.

Formal vs informal apologies (this actually matters)

Spanish has formal and informal versions of "you," and your apology needs to match. If you're talking to your friend, your boss, or a stranger on the street, the phrase changes.

For informal situations (talking to friends, family, kids, or people your age), you'd use:

For formal situations (talking to strangers, older people, professionals, or showing respect), switch to:

I've seen learners mess this up by using "disculpa" with their Spanish teacher or a store clerk they don't know. It won't cause major problems, but you'll sound less polished. When in doubt with strangers, go formal.

"Lo siento" is actually neutral, which makes it pretty handy. You can use it in both formal and informal contexts without changing the phrase.

How to intensify your apology

Sometimes "sorry" isn't enough. You need "I'm SO sorry." Spanish has several ways to crank up the intensity.

"Lo siento mucho" means "I'm very sorry" and adds genuine weight to your apology. This works when you've actually messed up something important or you're expressing sympathy for someone's loss or bad news.

"Lo lamento" is more formal and serious than "lo siento." You'd use this for condolences or really significant apologies. If someone tells you their grandmother passed away, "lo lamento mucho" is more appropriate than a casual "lo siento."

You can also stack these: "Lo siento muchísimo" (I'm extremely sorry) or "Perdóname, de verdad" (forgive me, really/truly).

For professional or really serious situations, try "Le pido disculpas" (I ask for your forgiveness) or "Mis disculpas" (my apologies). These sound formal and carry weight.

Situational phrases you'll actually use

Different situations call for different apology styles. Here's what works where.

When you need to interrupt someone or get their attention:

When you didn't hear something clearly:

When you bump into someone:

When you've genuinely hurt someone or made a real mistake:

When offering condolences:

Is perdón the same as sorry?

Yeah, "perdón" absolutely works as "sorry," but it leans more toward "pardon me" in usage. You'll hear it constantly for quick, minor apologies. Someone bumps you? "Perdón." You need to reach past someone? "Perdón." You interrupted someone? "Perdón."

The difference is subtle. "Perdón" feels a bit more like you're asking for pardon or permission, while "lo siento" expresses that you feel bad about something. For everyday stuff, they're basically interchangeable, and native speakers use both without thinking too hard about it.

In some regions, you'll hear "perdón" way more than others. Mexico uses it constantly for everything from "excuse me" to "sorry" to "what did you say?" In Spain, you might hear "perdona" (informal) more often in casual contexts.

How to properly apologize in Spanish

A proper Spanish apology isn't just about the word you choose. Context and body language matter too.

Start with your apology phrase: "Lo siento" or "Disculpa" or whatever fits the situation.

Explain what happened if needed: "Llegué tarde porque perdí el autobús" (I arrived late because I missed the bus).

Take responsibility: "Fue mi error" (it was my mistake) or "No debí haber hecho eso" (I shouldn't have done that).

Make it right: "¿Cómo puedo arreglarlo?" (how can I fix it?) or offer a solution.

Here's a full example: "Lo siento mucho por llegar tarde. Perdí el autobús y no te avisé. Fue mi error. La próxima vez te enviaré un mensaje de inmediato." (I'm very sorry for arriving late. I missed the bus and didn't let you know. It was my mistake. Next time I'll send you a message right away.)

That sounds way more genuine than just "lo siento" and walking away.

Is lo siento I'm sorry?

Yep, "lo siento" directly translates to "I'm sorry" and it's probably the most versatile apology phrase you'll learn in Spanish. The literal translation is "I feel it," which actually captures the empathy behind a real apology.

You can use "lo siento" for:

The phrase works in Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and pretty much every Spanish-speaking country. You might hear slight variations in how people emphasize it or what they pair it with, but the core phrase stays the same.

How to pronounce sorry in Spanish

Pronunciation matters because messing it up can confuse people. Let's break down the main phrases.

"Lo siento": Sounds like "loh see-EN-toh." The emphasis hits the "EN" syllable. The "s" in "siento" is soft, not a "z" sound. Don't say "see-EN-toe" with a hard "o" at the end. Keep it quick and natural.

"Perdón": Sounds like "pehr-DOHN." The emphasis is on the last syllable. The "r" is a single tap, not a rolled "rr." The "ó" has an accent mark, so you stress it.

"Disculpa": Sounds like "dees-KOOL-pah." Pretty straightforward. The emphasis falls on "KOOL." For the formal version, "disculpe" sounds like "dees-KOOL-peh."

"Lo lamento": Sounds like "loh lah-MEN-toh." The "la" is quick, and you emphasize "MEN."

If you're learning Spanish and want to hear these pronounced correctly, video resources help a ton. Hearing native speakers say these phrases in context beats reading phonetic guides any day.

Common responses when someone apologizes to you

Knowing how to accept an apology is just as useful as knowing how to give one.

"No pasa nada" (it's nothing/no worries) is super common and casual. Use this with friends or for minor stuff.

"No te preocupes" (don't worry about it) works for informal situations when you want to reassure someone.

"No hay problema" (no problem) is straightforward and widely understood.

"Está bien" (it's okay) is simple and gets the point across.

"De nada" technically means "you're welcome" but sometimes people use it to wave off an apology, though "no pasa nada" is more common for that.

For formal situations, try "No se preocupe" (don't worry, formal) or "No tiene importancia" (it's not important).

Will you forgive me in Spanish

If you need to ask for forgiveness directly, you've got options depending on formality.

"¿Me perdonas?" (will you forgive me?) is informal, for friends and family.

"¿Me perdona?" (will you forgive me?) is formal, for people you don't know well or want to show respect.

"¿Puedes perdonarme?" (can you forgive me?) adds a bit more pleading to the informal version.

"¿Podrías perdonarme?" (could you forgive me?) softens it even more with the conditional tense.

These phrases work when you've messed up something significant and you're genuinely asking the person to let it go. Pair them with a solid explanation and taking responsibility, and you'll sound sincere.

Regional differences you might notice

Spanish varies across countries, and apologies are no exception. The core phrases work everywhere, but you'll notice some regional flavor.

In Mexico, "perdón" gets used constantly for everything. You'll hear it as "excuse me," "sorry," "what?" and more. Mexicans also use "disculpa" frequently in casual settings.

In Spain, you might hear "perdona" (informal) or "lo siento" more often. They also use "perdone" (formal) when getting someone's attention.

In Argentina and Uruguay, the informal "you" is "vos" instead of "tú," so you'd hear "disculpá" or "perdoname" with slightly different conjugations.

In Colombia, people tend to be pretty polite and formal, so you'll hear "disculpe" and "lo siento mucho" used liberally.

These differences won't trip you up much. Stick with "lo siento" and "perdón" and you'll be understood everywhere.

Putting it all together with examples

Let's look at some real dialogue examples so you can see how these phrases work in context.

Casual situation (friends):

Formal situation (work):

Serious apology:

Expressing sympathy:

Getting someone's attention:

Why getting apologies right matters

Using the right apology phrase shows cultural awareness and respect. Spanish speakers notice when you match the formality level to the situation. It's the difference between sounding like a beginner who memorized one phrase and someone who actually understands how the language works in real life.

Plus, apologizing correctly can save relationships, smooth over mistakes, and help you navigate social situations way more easily. Whether you're traveling, working with Spanish speakers, or just trying to learn the language properly, nailing these phrases makes a real difference.

The good news is that Spanish apologies follow pretty logical patterns once you understand the formal/informal split and the intensity levels. Practice these phrases, pay attention to how native speakers use them in videos or conversations, and you'll pick it up quickly.

Anyway, if you want to actually practice these phrases with real Spanish content, Migaku's browser extension lets you look up words and save phrases instantly while watching shows or reading articles in español. Makes learning from context way more practical. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.