How to Say Sorry in Spanish
How to say sorry in Spanish: 'Lo siento' (loh see-EN-toh) for heartfelt apologies, or 'Perdón' / 'Disculpa' for quick excuse-mes. Pronunciation and when to use each.
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Quick answer
To say sorry in Spanish, say 'Lo siento' (loh see-EN-toh) for a genuine, heartfelt apology — it literally means 'I feel it.' For a quick 'excuse me' or minor bump, use 'Perdón' (pehr-DOHN) or 'Disculpa' (dees-KOOL-pah) instead.
Lo siento
/loh see-EN-toh/ — Spanish
How to Say Sorry in Spanish
Saying “sorry” the right way in Spanish depends on how sorry you are. There are two main families: a heartfelt Lo siento for real regret, and a quick Perdón / Disculpa for everyday “excuse me” moments.
The Heartfelt Apology: Lo Siento
Lo siento — pronounced loh see-EN-toh
This is the phrase for genuine regret, sympathy, and condolences. It literally means “I feel it” — lo (it) + siento (I feel). Use it when you’ve truly done something wrong, or when comforting someone:
- Lo siento. — I’m sorry.
- Lo siento mucho. — I’m so sorry. (literally “I feel it a lot”)
- Lo siento muchísimo. — I’m terribly sorry.
It’s also the standard thing to say at a funeral or on hearing bad news, just like English “I’m sorry (for your loss).”
Copy the Phrase
The Spanish for “sorry” is Lo siento (loh see-EN-toh).
The Everyday “Excuse Me”: Perdón & Disculpa
For small, light apologies — bumping into someone, squeezing past, getting attention, a tiny mistake — Spanish prefers Perdón or Disculpa:
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Perdón | pehr-DOHN | Sorry / pardon (bumping, interrupting) |
| Disculpa | dees-KOOL-pah | Excuse me / sorry (informal, tú) |
| Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh | Excuse me / sorry (formal, usted) |
| Perdona | pehr-DOH-nah | Forgive me (informal command) |
| Perdone | pehr-DOH-neh | Forgive me (formal command) |
Saying Lo siento to someone you merely brushed past can sound oddly heavy — like apologizing for a tragedy. For those moments, Perdón is perfect.
All the Ways to Say Sorry
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning / Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lo siento | loh see-EN-toh | I’m sorry (genuine regret) |
| Lo siento mucho | loh see-EN-toh MOO-cho | I’m so sorry |
| Perdón | pehr-DOHN | Sorry / pardon |
| Perdóname | pehr-DOH-nah-meh | Forgive me (informal) |
| Disculpa / Disculpe | dees-KOOL-pah / -peh | Excuse me (informal / formal) |
| Mis disculpas | mees dees-KOOL-pahs | My apologies (formal) |
| Te pido perdón | teh PEE-doh pehr-DOHN | I ask your forgiveness |
Formal vs. Informal
Spanish distinguishes tú (informal) and usted (formal):
- Informal: Disculpa, Perdona, Perdóname.
- Formal: Disculpe, Perdone, Perdóneme.
Lo siento and Perdón themselves don’t change form, so they’re safe in any setting — which is part of why they’re so popular.
Pronunciation & Cultural Tips
- The ‘r’ in Perdón is a light single tap, and the stress falls on the last syllable: pehr-DOHN.
- In siento, the ‘s’ is soft — never a ‘z’ buzz.
- Spanish speakers tend to apologize a little less reflexively than English speakers; a sincere Lo siento genuinely carries weight, so it’s appreciated when used meaningfully. For minor social friction, a light Perdón keeps things smooth and natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say sorry in Spanish?
The most common way is 'Lo siento' (loh see-EN-toh), meaning 'I'm sorry' — it literally translates as 'I feel it.' For minor apologies like bumping into someone, Spanish speakers more often say 'Perdón' (pehr-DOHN) or 'Disculpa' (dees-KOOL-pah).
How do you pronounce Lo siento?
Say it loh see-EN-toh. 'Lo' rhymes with 'low', and 'siento' has the stress on the middle: see-EN-toh. The 's' is soft and clean. Together it flows smoothly as 'loh-see-EN-toh.'
What is the difference between Lo siento and Perdón?
'Lo siento' expresses genuine regret or sympathy — for mistakes, bad news, or condolences. 'Perdón' (and 'Disculpa/Disculpe') is a lighter 'excuse me / pardon me' for small things like bumping someone, interrupting, or getting their attention. Use 'Lo siento' when you really mean it.
What does Lo siento literally mean?
'Lo siento' literally means 'I feel it' — 'lo' (it) plus 'siento' (I feel, from the verb 'sentir'). So you're saying you feel the regret or sympathy, which is why it's used for both apologies and offering condolences ('Lo siento mucho' = I'm so sorry).
How do you say 'I'm so sorry' or apologize formally in Spanish?
Add 'mucho' for emphasis: 'Lo siento mucho' (I'm very sorry). For formal situations use 'Disculpe' or 'Perdone' (the usted forms). To apologize sincerely you can also say 'Te pido perdón' (I ask your forgiveness) or 'Mis disculpas' (my apologies).