25 different ways of how to say sorry and express regret in Spanish
Learning Spanish language is famously easy as it doesn’t have a huge vocabulary (like Arabic, for example). But students learning this beautiful language should aim to use synonyms as often possible so as not to sound repetitive. One example is learning how to say sorry in Spanish and how to say excuse me in Spanish language. No matter where in the world you go, you will make mistakes, bump into someone or spill a drink. And every culture follows that up with an apology.
Contents
- Perdonar (to forgive): how to ask for forgiveness and apologies in Spanish
- Sentir (To feel): express regret
- Disculpar (To excuse): “my fault” in Spanish
- Arrepentirse (to regret): how to express regret and dissapointment about the past
- Lamentar (to regret with sorrow): express “I am sorry” with sorrow
- Equivocarse (to make a mistake): expressing “I’m sorry for my mistake”
- Compadecer (to feel compassion): how to express sympathy and regret for someone’s hardship in Spanish
- Some other ways how to say sorry and ask for apologies in Spanish
- Con permiso: equivalent of I’m sorry in Spanish for moving past someone
- Example of the Spanish lesson online with a private Spanish tutor
- The phrase “es una lástima” – It’s a shame! What a pity! in Spanish language
- Es una pena = es una lástima. Examples of use
- More resources on the topic of how to say sorry in Spanish
Introduction to how to say I’m sorry in Spanish
Go beyond the simple excuse me in Spanish language
Learning how to apologize in Spanish is not as straightforward as remembering a single word. There is a world of difference, for example, between between bumping into someone in a market and then apologizing, and saying sorry for knocking someone off of their bike. If you’re going to be making an effort to test your language skills, you will make mistakes. And when you do, you’ll want to say sorry. You may also want to thank a waiter for his patience and apologize in Spanish for holding him up. In any event, you won’t want to repeat the same phrase over and over again, particularly when speaking to the same person.
Now, when it comes to saying sorry and going beyond excuse me in Spanish language, there are several main words that you want to use:
- perdonar;
- sentir;
- disculpar
- arrepentirse
- lamentar
- equivocarse
- compadecer
- con permiso
- es una lástima
- es una pena
Perdonar (to forgive): how to ask for forgiveness and apologies in Spanish
Perdonar is the verb used most commonly to say sorry in Spanish. The conjugation varies depending who is speaking and who they are talking to.
The four main forms of the verb perdonar are:
- Perdona (Forgive [me]) — Use this form when talking to close friends or family. Don’t be fooled by the imperative form of tú. It is polite and is not a command.
- Perdone (Forgive [me]) — Use this form to apologize in Spanish in a formal conversation.
- Perdón (Forgiveness) — This is a neutral form of the verb which. It is used in most casual situations. It is actually a noun and should not be used formally.
- Perdóname por favor! (Please forgive me!) – Use this form in situations when you do something wrong and want forgiveness.
Perdonar is used to apologize in Spanish for doing or saying something that is fairly minor.
Examples might be:
- Perdona por llegar tarde. (Sorry for being late.)
- Perdón. No te había visto. (Sorry, I hadn’t seen you.)
It is also used to attract someone’s attention or if you didn’t hear or understand something – very useful when conversing in a foreign language.
- Perdone, ¿sabe donde está la calle Málaga? (Excuse me, do you know where Málaga Street is?)
- Perdona, ¿puedes repetir esto? (Sorry, can you repeat that?)
Sentir (To feel): express regret
Sentir is used to ask for forgiveness and for expressing regret in Spanish. It is also used to display empathy.
It is most commonly used to say:
- Lo siento (lit. I feel it) – Use this form to express sympathy and regret or when saying “no” to somebody’s offer. Lo siento, pero no. (I am sorry, but no.)
- Lo siento mucho/muchísimo (lit. I feel it a lot) — Use this form if you have done something wrong and feel guilty. It is a stronger emotion that perdona. Also use it if something bad has happened to a person and you want to tell them you know how they are feeling, for example when expressing sympathy following the death of a relative.
- Siento (mucho)… (lit. I feel [a lot]…) — Use this form as above but when following up with other information.
Also use it to let someone know you feel sorry for them or for their situation:
- Siento mucho lo ocurrido. (I’m very sorry about what’s happened).
- Siento mucho la pérdida de tu madre. (I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother).
Disculpar (To excuse): “my fault” and excuse me in Spanish language
This is the third most common way to apologize in Spanish – saying it’s your fault. It is an equivalent of exscuse me in Spanish language. People also use it attract someone’s attention in a formal way and, once again, the conjugation varies depending on who you are talking to.
Disculpar has three main forms:
- Disculpa (Excuse/forgive [me] – my fault) — Use this form when talking to friends or family. The word “culpa” means fault, so the closest translation of “disculpa” would be – “Sorry, it’s my fault.”
- Disculpe (Excuse me in Spanish) — Use this one when speaking to a superior or to a person you do not know in a formal context.
- Disculpa/e + noun (Excuse me for… / sorry for…) — Use this form when adding a reason for your apology.
The verb disculpar is used in a similar way to perdonar but is slightly more formal and is used to apologize for something more serious that you have said or done.
- Disculpa, no te había oído. (Sorry, I hadn’t heard you).
- Disculpe, no sabía que estaba esperando. (I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were waiting).
Also use disculpa and disculpe to attract someone’s attention or ask them to repeat something. It is the best verb to use when you want to say excuse me in Spanish language:
- Disculpe, ¿sabe donde está el banco? (Excuse me, do you know where the bank is?) – formal way
- Disculpa, ¿puedes repetir eso? (Sorry, can you repeat that?)
Learning to say sorry is one of the most important elements of language learning. Understanding the differences in how to use apologies according to social convention is also crucial. Often, people will simply brush it away if you make a mistake, but in some circumstances, such as bereavement, it could be very upsetting.
Arrepentirse (to regret): how to express regret and dissapointment about the past
This is the most common verb to express regret in Spanish – saying you wish something had not happened. Use this form to say that you regret about some personal decisions or in the context of personal relationships. You may also regret missed opportunities or personal choices and behavior.
Arrepentirse can be used in such forms:
- Me arrepiento de (I regret [smth] – my fault) — Me arrepiento de esa desicion.
- Me apperiento por (I regret about [smth]) — Me arrepiento por haberlo hecho.
- Me arrepiento (I regret.) — Yo actué mal. Me arrepiento.
In all these cases, “arrepentirse” means that you look back and feel bad about what happened in the past.
Lamentar (to regret with sorrow): express “I am sorry” with sorrow
This is the most common verb to express sorrow and dissapontment in Spanish – saying you are feeling bad about something that has happenned. Use this form to express condolences, empathy and sympathy. Use it in the context of personal relationships and events.
Here are soem examples of how to use the verb lamentar:
- Lamento mucho… (in cases of death) — Lamento mucho la muerte de tu padre.
- Lamento escuchar que…. (I am sorry to hear …) — Lamento escuchar que estás enfermo(a).
- Lamento … (loss and misfortunes) — Lamento mucho tu pérdida.
- Lamentamos que… (formal apologies) – Lamentamos informar que su solicitud ha sido rechazada.
Lamentar is mostly used as a formal version of “lo siento mucho”.
Equivocarse (to make a mistake): expressing “I’m sorry for my mistake”
People use equivocarse in Spanish to admit their mistake and take responsibility for it.
It’s a straightforward and honest way to apologize in Spanish when you’ve done something wrong. Whether in personal situations or formal contexts, using equivocarse shows that you recognize your error and are sorry for it.
Here are some examples of how to use equivocarse to express regret in your coversation in Spanish:
- Me equivoqué… (I made a mistake): Me equivoqué al no llamarte antes — I made a mistake by not calling you earlier.
- Lo siento, me equivoqué… (I’m sorry, I made a mistake): Lo siento, me equivoqué en los cálculos — I’m sorry, I got the calculations wrong.
- Nos equivocamos… (We made a mistake): Nos equivocamos con la fecha del evento — We made a mistake with the event date.
- Equivocarse es humano… (to make mistakes is human): Equivocarse es humano, pero lo importante es aprender de los errores — Humans make mistakes, but what’s important is learning from mistakes.
Equivocarse is often used in both personal and professional settings to acknowledge a misunderstanding or incorrect action, showing accountability and regret.
Compadecer (to feel compassion): how to express sympathy and regret for someone’s hardship in Spanish
The verb compadecer is used in Spanish to express compassion and sympathy for someone’s suffering or difficult situation. It conveys a sense of empathy, showing that you share in the person’s emotional pain or hardship. Compadecer is typically used in more formal or serious contexts, when you want to express heartfelt understanding and regret for what someone is going through.
Here are some examples of how to use compadecer to express sympathy:
- Me compadezco de… (I sympathize with…): Me compadezco de tu situación — I sympathize with your situation.
- Compadezco tu dolor… (I feel for your pain): Compadezco tu dolor por la pérdida de tu ser querido — I feel for your pain after the loss of your loved one.
- Nos compadecemos… (We sympathize…): Nos compadecemos de aquellos que han sido afectados por el desastre — We sympathize with those affected by the disaster.
- Compadecerse de alguien… (to feel sorry for someone): Es difícil no compadecerse de los que han sufrido tanto — It’s hard not to feel sorry for those who have suffered so much.
Compadecer expresses genuine sympathy and is used to show that you care deeply about someone’s difficult situation, whether in personal or formal contexts.
Some other ways how to say sorry, excuse me in Spanish language, and ask for apologies in Spanish
Lo siento (mucho) – I am (so) sorry
Disculpa (inf)/ Disculpe (f) – Excuse me
Perdona (inf)/ Perdone (f) – Sorry/ Pardon
Lo lamento – (I’m) very sorry
No sabe cuánto lo siento/lo lamento – You don’t know how sorry I am
Siento lo ocurrido – I regret what happened
Mil disculpas – A thousand apologies
Me disculpo por… – I apologise for…
Espero me perdones por… – I hope you can forgive me for…
Te debo una disculpa por… – I owe you an apology for…
Estoy muy apenado por … – I am very sorry about…
Con permiso: equivalent of I’m sorry in Spanish for moving past someone
In some Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Mexico and parts of Central America, “con permiso” can be used as a polite way to say excuse me in Spanish language or “I’m sorry” in certain contexts. It’s typically used when you’re moving past someone in a crowded space or interrupting a conversation. The phrase literally means “with permission,” but in these regions, it carries the meaning of apologizing for a minor inconvenience or intrusion.
For example:
- Con permiso (when passing by someone in a tight space or wanting to get through a group).
- Con permiso (when politely interrupting a conversation).
It’s important to note that “con permiso” doesn’t convey deep regret or sorrow, but rather a courteous acknowledgment that you’re excusing yourself or apologizing for a small disturbance.
Check phrasebooks, apps or podcasts. That is a good starting point in expanding your Spanish vocab, particularly if you are just visiting a foreign country for a vacation. If, however, you’re learning Spanish in a more profound way, it’s a nice idea to find a private Spanish tutor.
A Spanish language tutor will help understand your learning style and guide your learning. This structured approach, with guidance on extra activities to supplement your learning, is the quickest way to learn Spanish expressions. Go beyond excuse me in Spanish language.
Selected Spanish tutors on Lonet.
The phrase “es una lástima” – It’s a shame! What a pity! in Spanish language
Spanyards across many Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and most of Latin America often use a phrase “es una lástima”. They use it to express regret, disappointment, or sympathy about an unfortunate situation. They say “es una lástima” both, in personal and general contexts, indicating sadness or compassion about something that hasn’t happened or didn’t turn out as they hoped.
Contexts of Use:
Personal Situations:
To express regret about a missed opportunity or unfortunate event.
Example: Es una lástima que no hayas podido venir a la fiesta — It’s a shame you couldn’t come to the party.
Sympathy and Empathy:
To convey compassion when someone else experiences bad luck or a loss.
Example: Es una lástima que haya perdido su trabajo — It’s a shame that he lost his job.
General or Social Commentary:
Used to talk about unfortunate circumstances in a broader context, such as societal issues.
Example: Es una lástima que haya tanta pobreza en el mundo — It’s a shame there’s so much poverty in the world.
In summary, “es una lástima” is a universal phrase across the Spanish-speaking world, used to express mild to moderate regret or empathy in various situations.
Es una pena = es una lástima. Examples of use
∿ Es una pena perderse este concierto tan bueno.
(It’s a shame to miss such a good concert.)
∿ Es una pena no tener más tiempo para explorar la ciudad.
(It’s a pity not to have more time to explore the city.)
∿ Es una pena ver cómo el bosque está desapareciendo.
(It’s a shame to see how the forest is disappearing.)
∿ Es una pena no poder ir a la playa hoy por la lluvia.
(It’s a shame not to be able to go to the beach today because of the rain.)
Es una pena que esta tienda cierre tan temprano.
(It’s a shame that this store closes so early.)
More resources on the topic of how to say sorry in Spanish:
14 Spanish apologies, Memrise article on how to say that you are sorry in Spanish, Mexican version of being sorry in Naatik article and 93 sincere, meaningful ways to apologize & say sorry in Spanish from Berlitz.
