Learning how to say sorry in Spanish is essential if you want to communicate politely and respectfully. Spanish offers several ways to apologize, from casual phrases you’d use with friends to more formal expressions suited for serious situations.

Whether you’re traveling, studying, or speaking with native speakers, knowing the right way to say sorry will help you build better connections and avoid misunderstandings.

Sorry in Spanish

Here’s a 15-phrases table for different ways to say Sorry in Spanish with English meaning, Spanish phrase, and usage:

#	English Phrase	Spanish Phrase	Usage / Context
1	Sorry	Perdón	Common, casual
2	I’m sorry	Lo siento	Standard apology
3	Excuse me	Disculpe	Formal, polite
4	Excuse me (informal)	Disculpa	Informal
5	I’m very sorry	Lo siento mucho	Stronger apology
6	Forgive me	Perdóname	Informal, personal
7	Forgive me (formal)	Perdóneme	Formal
8	Sorry for the delay	Perdón por el retraso	Specific context
9	Sorry for bothering you	Perdón por molestarte	Casual
10	Sorry to bother you (formal)	Perdón por molestarlo/la	Polite, formal
11	My apologies	Mis disculpas	Neutral/formal
12	Please forgive me	Por favor, perdóname	Emotional, personal
13	Sorry, I didn’t mean to	Perdón, no quise hacerlo	Casual
14	Sorry for the mistake	Perdón por el error	Neutral
15	I deeply apologize	Le ofrezco una disculpa	Very formal, respectful

Let’s explore 15 ways to say sorry in Spanish, complete with dialogues and cultural context, so you can speak with authenticity and confidence.

1. Lo siento – I’m sorry

Origin:
“Lo siento” literally means “I feel it.” It’s the most direct and sincere way to express regret or sorrow in Spanish.

Example:
👤 User A: Lo siento, olvidé tu cumpleaños.
👤 User B: Está bien… gracias por decírmelo.

Use: General apology, especially for emotional or personal matters.

2. Perdón – Pardon / Excuse me / Sorry

Origin:
From the verb perdonar (to forgive), “Perdón” is used to request forgiveness in casual and polite situations.

Example:
👤 User A: ¡Perdón! No quise empujarte.
👤 User B: No te preocupes, todo bien.

Use: Casual situations like bumping into someone or interrupting.

3. Disculpa – Excuse me / Sorry (informal)

Origin:
From disculpar meaning “to excuse.” It’s often used in Latin America for everyday mistakes.

Example:
👤 User A: Disculpa, ¿sabes dónde está el baño?
👤 User B: Sí, al fondo a la derecha.

Use: Informal; asking for directions or minor interruptions.

4. Disculpe – Excuse me / Sorry (formal)

Origin:
Same root as “Disculpa” but in usted (formal) form.

Example:
👤 User A: Disculpe, señor, ¿esta silla está ocupada?
👤 User B: No, puede sentarse.

Use: Formal contexts or with strangers.

5. Lo lamento – I regret it / I’m deeply sorry

Origin:
Stronger and more emotional than “lo siento.” It’s often used in serious or tragic situations.

Example:
👤 User A: Lo lamento mucho. Escuché sobre tu pérdida.
👤 User B: Gracias, eso significa mucho para mí.

Use: Deep sorrow, such as condolences.

6. Mil disculpas – A thousand apologies

Origin:
An emphatic way to express repeated or strong regret.

Example:
👤 User A: ¡Mil disculpas por llegar tarde otra vez!
👤 User B: Está bien, pero intenta ser puntual mañana.

Use: Stronger informal apology for repeated mistakes.

7. Con permiso – Excuse me (to pass or leave)

Origin:
Literally means “with permission.” It’s culturally polite in Spanish-speaking countries.

Example:
👤 User A: Con permiso, necesito salir antes.
👤 User B: Claro, adelante.

Use: Used when leaving, passing through, or excusing oneself physically.

8. Perdóname – Forgive me (informal)

Origin:
Direct from the verb perdonar, used in deeper personal apologies.

Example:
👤 User A: Perdóname, no debí hablarte así.
👤 User B: Te entiendo. Solo no lo hagas otra vez.

Use: Emotional or relationship-centered apologies.

9. Perdóneme – Forgive me (formal)

Origin:
Formal form of “perdóname,” using usted conjugation.

Example:
👤 User A: Perdóneme, señora. Fue mi error.
👤 User B: Aprecio su honestidad.

Use: Formal or respectful apology, especially with elders or strangers.

10. No fue mi intención – It wasn’t my intention

Origin:
This phrase clarifies that you didn’t mean to cause harm.

Example:
👤 User A: No fue mi intención hacerte sentir mal.
👤 User B: Lo sé. Gracias por aclararlo.

Use: Clarifying intent, useful in misunderstandings.

11. Fue sin querer – It was unintentional

Origin:
A common way to explain a mistake, often used by kids and adults alike.

Example:
👤 User A: ¡Rompiste mi vaso!
👤 User B: Lo siento… fue sin querer.

Use: Casual and sincere for accidents.

12. Mis disculpas – My apologies

Origin:
A slightly more formal version of “disculpa,” used in emails or formal speech.

Example:
👤 User A: Mis disculpas por no responder antes.
👤 User B: No hay problema, entiendo que estás ocupado.

Use: Written or professional apologies.

13. Te debo una disculpa – I owe you an apology

Origin:
Used when acknowledging guilt or responsibility.

Example:
👤 User A: Te debo una disculpa por lo que dije ayer.
👤 User B: Gracias por reconocerlo.

Use: Humble and heartfelt apology.

14. No quise ofenderte – I didn’t mean to offend you

Origin:
Useful when clearing up offense caused by accident.

Example:
👤 User A: No quise ofenderte con mi comentario.
👤 User B: Entiendo, gracias por decírmelo.

Use: Social or emotional situations with miscommunication.

15. Siento haberte fallado – I’m sorry I let you down

Origin:
Poetic and deeply emotional, this is often used in relationships or serious situations.

Example:
👤 User A: Siento haberte fallado. No volverá a pasar.
👤 User B: Todos cometemos errores. Lo importante es que lo reconozcas.

Use: Personal, emotional, sincere apologies.

Conclusion:

Learning how to say sorry in Spanish gives you the right words to handle mistakes politely and respectfully. From casual “perdón” to formal “disculpe,” these phrases help you express sincerity and maintain good relationships in any situation.

Adding these expressions to your Spanish vocabulary makes your conversations more natural. It also shows cultural awareness and respect, which native speakers truly appreciate.