How to Say Sorry in Spanish – Top 10 Ways in 2024

Saying sorry is important in every language, and it’s something everyone understands, no matter where they’re from. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, and it has many different ways to express an apology.

The most common way to say sorry in Spanish is “Lo siento”. This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal settings. It directly translates to “I feel it,” reflecting a personal empathy towards the situation or the person affected.

In this article, we’re going to explore the different expressions for saying “sorry” in Spanish.

I am Sorry! in Spanish

Saying “I am sorry” in Spanish is expressed as “Lo siento”. This phrase is used widely in Spanish-speaking countries to apologize. Here’s a simple guide on how to pronounce it, reply, and use it in different contexts.

Pronunciation of “Lo siento”

• Lo siento is pronounced as loh-see-EHN-toh.
• Lo sounds like the “lo” in “log”.
• Siento is a bit trickier: “see” is said as in “see”; “EHN” should sound like the “en” in “send”; and “toh” is like the “to” in “told”.

How to Make a Reply to “Lo siento” ( I am Sorry in Spanish)

If someone says “Lo siento” to you, there are a few ways you can respond, depending on the situation:

• “No te preocupes” (noh teh preh-oh-koo-pehs) which means “Don’t worry about it”.
• “Está bien” (ehs-TAH byen), meaning “It’s okay”.
• “Te perdono” (teh pehr-DOH-noh), which means “I forgive you”.

Using “Lo Siento” in Different Contexts

• Formal Apology: If you’re in a formal situation or you’ve made a significant mistake, you might want to elaborate a bit more by saying “Lo siento mucho” (I am very sorry) to emphasize your sincerity.
• Casual Apology: For minor inconveniences or to apologize casually, just “Lo siento” is sufficient.
• Expressing Regret: If you want to express regret for not being able to do something, you can say “Lo siento, pero no puedo” (I’m sorry, but I can’t).

Remember, the tone of your voice and your body language also play a big part in conveying your apology. Saying “Lo siento” with genuine remorse will help ensure your apology is well received.

Other Ways to Say Sorry in Spanish

In Spanish, there are several ways to say “sorry,” each fitting different situations from casual apologies to formal expressions of regret. Here’s a breakdown of the phrases, tailored to cover all possible cases:

1. Lo siento – “I am sorry”

This is the most common way to apologize in Spanish, suitable for many situations.

2. Perdón – “Sorry” or “Pardon”

Used in both casual and formal contexts, “Perdón” is versatile. It can be used to get someone’s attention, ask someone to move, or express apology.

3. Disculpa/Disculpe – “Excuse me”

• Disculpa is used when speaking to someone you know well or someone your age or younger (informal).
• Disculpe is the formal version, used in respectful contexts or when speaking to someone older or in a position of authority.

4. Lo lamento – “I regret it”

This phrase expresses a deeper level of sorrow or regret, often used in more serious or heartfelt apologies.

5. Siento mucho esto – “I am very sorry about this”

To emphasize the depth of your apology or regret, especially in situations where you’ve caused inconvenience or hurt.

6. Mil disculpas – “A thousand apologies”

An expression used to emphasize how sorry you are, often in both formal and informal contexts.

7. Perdona/Perdone por el retraso – “Sorry for the delay”

Perdona is informal, while Perdone is formal. This phrase is specifically used to apologize for being late.

8. No fue mi intención – “It was not my intention”

Used when you want to apologize for something that happened unintentionally, indicating that the outcome was not planned.

9. Fue mi culpa – “It was my fault”

Taking responsibility for a mistake or an error, this phrase is a straightforward way to admit fault.

10. Te pido disculpas – “I ask for your forgiveness”

A formal way to apologize, showing a high level of respect and sincerity.

Responding to Apologies in Spanish

When someone apologizes to you, here are a few ways you can respond:

• No te preocupes – “Don’t worry about it”
• Está bien – “It’s okay”
• No hay problema – “No problem”
• Te perdono – “I forgive you”
• Acepto tus disculpas – “I accept your apology”

Below table is designed to assist English speakers in learning how to apologize in Spanish. It provides various phrases for expressing apologies, from basic to more specific contexts, including expressions of regret, sincere apologies, acknowledgments of thoughtlessness or wrong behavior, requests for forgiveness, and clarifications that a mistake was unintentional.

English Expression	Spanish Phrase	IPA Notation	Pronunciation Guide	When to Use
I’m sorry	Perdón	pɛɾˈðõn	pear-don	Basic apology
I’m sorry	Lo siento	lo ˈsjɛ̃nto	loh see-en-toh	Basic apology
I apologize	Disculpa	disˈkulpa	dis-cool-pah	Basic apology
I regret it	Lo lamento	lo laˈmɛ̃nto	lo lah-men-toh	Basic apology
I’m truly sorry	En verdad lo siento	ɛ̃m bɛɾˈðað lo ˈsjɛ̃nto	en ver-dad lo see-en-toh	Sincere apology
I’m so sorry	Lo siento tanto	lo ˈsjɛ̃nto ˈtãnto	lo see-en-toh tan-toh	Sincere apology
I feel terrible, I’m sorry	Me siento terrible, lo siento mucho	me ˈsjɛ̃nto tɛˈriβle | lo ˈsjɛ̃nto ˈmuʧo	meh see-en-toh teh-ree-bleh lo see-en-toh moo-cho	Expressing remorse
Sorry for my thoughtlessness	Lo siento mucho, fue muy descuidado de mi parte	lo ˈsjɛ̃nto ˈmuʧo | ˈfwe mwi ðɛskwiˈðaðo ðe mi ˈpaɾte	lo see-en-toh moo-cho foo-eh moo-y des-coo-e-da-doh deh me par-teh	Acknowledging carelessness
Sorry for my behavior	Lo siento mucho por mi comportamiento	lo ˈsjɛ̃nto ˈmuʧo poɾ mi kõmpoɾtaˈmjɛ̃nto	lo see-en-toh moo-cho pore me com-pore-tah-me-en-toh	Acknowledging wrong behavior
I apologize for crossing the line	Una disculpa, eso estuvo fuera de lugar	ˈuna ðisˈkulpa | ˈeso ɛsˈtuβo ˈfwɛɾa ðe luˈɣaɾ	oo-nah dis-cool-pah	Acknowledging improper behavior
A thousand apologies	Mil disculpas	ˈmil disˈkulpas	meel dis-cool-pas	Casual but sincere apology
I owe you an apology	Te debo una disculpa	te ˈðeβo ˈuna ðisˈkulpa	teh deh-bo oo-nah dis-cool-pah	Directly addressing someone you’ve wronged
Forgive me	Perdóname	pɛɾˈðoname	pear-doh-nah-meh	Asking for forgiveness
It wasn’t intentional	Lo siento, no lo hice a propósito	lo ˈsjɛ̃nto | ˈno lo ˈise a pɾoˈposito	lo see-en-toh no lo e-say ah pro-poh-see-toh	Clarifying a mistake was accidental
I didn’t think it through	Lo siento, no sé en qué estaba pensando	lo ˈsjɛ̃nto | ˈno ˈse ɛ̃n ˈke ɛsˈtaβa pɛ̃nˈsãndo	lo see-en-toh no say en keh es-tah-bah pen-san-doh	Admitting a lapse in judgment
It wasn’t intentional	Perdón, no quise hacerlo	pɛɾˈðõn | ˈno ˈkise aˈsɛɾlo	pear-don no key-seh ah-ser-lo	Clarifying a mistake was accidental.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of apologizing in Spanish goes beyond merely learning phrases; it’s about understanding the nuances of expression and cultural sensitivity. Whether it’s a casual “lo siento” for minor inconveniences or a heartfelt “perdóname” for deeper apologies, the ability to convey sincerity and remorse plays a crucial role in communication. As we explore the various ways to express apologies in Spanish, we not only enhance our linguistic skills but also deepen our cultural empathy, enabling more meaningful connections with Spanish speakers.

How to Say Sorry in Spanish – FAQs

How do you say sorry in Spanish slang words?

If you’re with friends or in an informal situation, you can use either lo siento or perdón, but lo siento is most common.

How do you say apologize in Spanish?

To apologize in Spanish, you would use the verb “disculparse.” The act of apologizing can be expressed as “pedir disculpas.” For example, saying “I apologize” can be translated as “Me disculpo” or “Pido disculpas.”

How do you express an apology in Spanish?

Expressing an apology in Spanish can vary in formality and intensity, depending on the situation. Here are some common ways to express an apology:

1. Lo siento – “I’m sorry.”
2. Perdón – “Sorry” or “Pardon me.”
3. Disculpa (informal) / Disculpe (formal) – “Excuse me.”
4. Lamento – “I regret.”
5. Siento mucho lo ocurrido – “I am very sorry for what happened.”
6. Te pido disculpas (informal) / Le pido disculpas (formal) – “I ask for your forgiveness.”

Is there a difference between “Perdón” and “Disculpa”?

Yes, there is a subtle difference. “Perdón” is often used to ask for forgiveness or when you didn’t hear something and want it to be repeated. “Disculpa” (informal) or “Disculpe” (formal) is used to say “excuse me” or to apologize for a minor inconvenience. Both can be used interchangeably in casual situations.

Can you apologize on behalf of someone else in Spanish?

Yes, you can. Use “Le pido disculpas de parte de [name]” to say “I apologize on behalf of [name].” This can be useful in formal and professional settings.

How do you accept an apology in Spanish?

To accept an apology, you might say “No te preocupes” (Don’t worry about it) in informal situations or “Está bien” (It’s okay) for both informal and formal contexts. Another option is “Acepto tu disculpa” (I accept your apology), which is more formal.