How to Say Sorry in Spanish - SpanishPod101.com Blog (2023)

There are many reasons why it's important to be able to say "sorry" in Spanish or any other language you're learning. It's one of the first things you learn when you start learning a language and we're sure you know why. It's not just useful; It also shows manners, and these are important no matter where you are. Still, you'll be glad you learned how to apologize in Spanish culture!

Here's an example: Let's say you're on a trip to Spain, you're walking down the street and you accidentally bump into someone. They might not know you're a tourist who doesn't speak much Spanish, so here you have two options: you could decide not to say anything and look like the bad guy, or you could apologize and show how polite you are .

This is just one example of how you would have to say in Spanish that you're sorry for a simple short trip to Spain, but if you're planning a longer trip — or moving there — you'll soon start making Spanish-speaking friends. Even if you are a kind person, there are many times when your friends need an apology. You could forget her birthday, or you could...accidentally step on her dog's tail? Or what if you meet someone special and forget an important date? Anything could happen.

As you can see, the list could go on and on. We all make mistakes sometimes, and because we're sure you're a good person, we're going to help you learn a few different ways to say sorry in Spanish, and how and when to use each one should use them. Start with a bonus andDownload Your FREE Cheat Sheet - How To Improve Your Spanish Skills! (Only for logged in members)

1. Nine ways to say "sorry" in Spanish
2. Four more phrases you could use to apologize:
3. Six different responses you might get after apologizing:
4. How SpanishPod101.com can help you learn Spanish

1. Nine ways to say "sorry" in Spanish

1-forgiveness

When you learn how to say "sorry" in the Spanish language, one of the first words you need to know isforgiveness.forgivenessis the most common way of saying "forgiveness', which is also the Spanish word for 'forgiveness'. We do not consider this word formal or informal as this word can be used in different contexts. However, remember that it is always used in minor incidents like the situation in the example below.

Example:forgivenessI think I accidentally picked up your pencil.
translation: „forgiveness, I think I accidentally touched your pen.”

Another situation where you could use the word to apologizeforgivenesswould be the first example we mentioned earlier, which is when you happen to bump into someone.

2-I'm sorry

I'm sorryis another common way of saying sorry in Spanish and is usually the first thing you learn when you start learning Spanish as the meaning is not as restricted as the wordforgiveness. It literally means "I feel it" and it translates to "I'm sorry.“

It can be used in a much broader sense than the wordforgiveness: You can use it for both minor and major incidents. For example, it can be used to express your condolences after your boyfriend broke up with someone or after someone got fired.

This one has a few simple variations: if you're not just sorry, butverysorry you sayVery sorry. You use a third version,I'm really sorry, if you arevery,veryForgiveness.

Example:Marta,Very sorry,I just found out about your father.
translation: „I'm sorry, Marta, I just heard from your father.”

There is one last very common variation of this phrase, which is to form a sentence beginning withI feel, which still means "I'm sorry," followed by the action or situation you're sorry for. Don't worry, we'll give you an example of that too.

Example:I feelthat you had to go through this.
translation: „I'm sorryyou had to go through that.”

3-I'm sorry

This phrase is very similar toI'm sorry, but it's generally used either when you have regrets, or in sad situations, e.g. B. when you offer your condolences.I'm sorryis not nearly as commonly used asI'm sorry, so you don't have to worry about memorizing them right away.

Example:I went through this joke. I'm sorry.
translation: “I went too far with this prank.I'm sorry.“

4-forgiveness

forgivenessis another very common word in Spanish and translated means “forgiveness.” Some people say that all waiters and waitresses are actually called “Perdona,” as they are commonly called. You should also use this word if you want to ask a stranger for directions.

Example:forgiveness,can you pass me the salt
translation: „forgiveness"Could you give me the salt?"

5-forgiveness(formal)

forgivenessis basically the formal version offorgiveness, because it follows the conjugation of the formOf, instead ofOf(the common "you"). If you're new to Spanish, don't worry as it's not that common anymore and you'll very likely never need to use it. We use the same example as for the formforgiveness, but translated "sorry" so the difference is clearer. Also notice that the main verb of the question also changes frommayTomay.

Example:forgiveness,can you pass me the salt
translation: „pardon, would you mind passing the salt?”

6-Forgive me

This word may sound similar to the previous two words in the list, but it actually has a different meaning, which is "forgive me."You can say tooforgivenesswhen you want to say "forgive me", but not vice versa; so you don't sayforgive meif you just want to say a casual "sorry".

Example:Forgive me,i didn't mean to hurt you.
translation: „Forgive me, I didn't mean to hurt you."

7-forgivenessorforgiveness

This word,forgiveness, has exactly the same meaning asforgiveness, but it's a little more polite. While you can useforgivenessIn all situations, this word is more restricted in use. For example, a young person usually does not sayforgivenessto friends or family, but rather to a stranger, a teacher, or a boss.

WhileforgivenessAndforgive medo not always have the same meaningforgivenessAndforgivenessare completely interchangeable.

Example:Sorry, sorry,You lost the keys.
translation: „forgiveness, you lost your keys."

8-forgiveness(formal)

Similar to the difference betweenforgivenessAndforgiveness,forgivenessis the formal version offorgiveness. It can be translated as "Excuse me" or "I beg your pardon." We use the same example as inforgiveness, with a few changes to make the difference clearer.

Example:forgiveness, sir, you lost the keys.
translation: „pardon, sir, you lost your keys.”

9-My sincerest condolences

Are you looking for the word "sorry for your loss" in Spanish? This last sentence may only be used at funerals or condolences. As mentioned earlier, you can also useI'm sorryorI'm sorry, but this one is much more specific and standardized.

Example:Your father was a great man.My sincerest condolences.
translation: “Your father was a great man.My sincerest condolences.“

2. Four more phrases you could use to say sorry:

If you really want to apologize to someone, you don't just say "sorry" and leave, do you? In situations like this, you might want to know other phrases that might come in handy one day when you need to apologize to someone in Spanish. Unlike the previous list, these phrases are fairly easy to translate into English and their meaning becomes perfectly logical once you understand them. Don't worry, we'll give you examples of each one. Here's our short list of helpful phrases on how to say "sorry" in Spanish culture.

1-It was not my intention("It was not my intention")

Example:I'm sorry I hurt you.It was not my intention.
translation: "I'm sorry I hurt you.It was not my intention.“

2-I won't do that("I Won't Do It Again")

Example:I'm sorry I ate your sandwich.I won't do that.
translation: "I'm sorry I ate your sandwich.I won't do it again.“

3-It will not happen again("It will not happen again")

Example:I know I made a mistake, butIt won't happen again.
translation: “I know I made a mistake, butit will not happen again.“

4-I should not have done it("I should not have done it")

Example:I thought I was doing the right thing, but I was wrong.I should not have done it.
translation: “I thought I was doing the right thing, but I was wrong.I should not have done it.“

3. Six different responses you might get after apologizing:

Just like in English, there are different ways of accepting an apology in Spanish. In Spanish there are few of these answers and they are fairly easy to understand as they all have a direct translation into English and very clear meaning so again they don't need any explanation.

1-Do not worry("Do not worry")

Example:A:did i step on you Forgiveness!
B:Do not worryI didn't even notice.
translation:A: "Did I step on you? I'm sorry!"
B: „Do not worry, I didn't even feel it."

2-No problem("It's nothing")

Example:A:Oh sorry I spilled some water.
B:No problem,I take a rag.
translation:A: "Oh, sorry, I lost a bit of water."
B: „It's nothing, I'll get a towel."

3-It does not matter("Doesn't matter")

Example:A:was your birthday yesterday Forgive me I forgot!
B:It does not matter.
translation:A: "Your birthday was yesterday? Forgive me, I forgot!”
B: „It does not matter.“

4-I forgive you("I forgive you")

Example:A:I'm sorry mom, I broke a cup. you forgive me
B:NaturallyI forgive you.
translation:A: “I'm sorry mom, I broke a cup. Can you forgive me?"
B: "NaturallyI forgive you.“

5-Gracias("Thanks")

Example:A:My sincerest condolences.
B:Gracias.
translation:A: "I'm sorry for your loss."
B: „Thanks.“

6-It's not your fault("It's not your fault")

Example:A:I'm very sorry but I can't go tonight, my father is ill.
B:It's not your fault, see you another time.
translation:A: "I'm so sorry, but I can't go tonight, my father is ill."
B: „It's not your fault, see you another time.”

4. How SpanishPod101.com can help you learn Spanish

Now you know how to say "sorry" in Spain, but what if you wanted to visit Mexico? You can click the following link to learnCommon ways to say sorry in Mexican Spanish. You'll see that some of these phrases are the same or very similar, but you might learn some interesting new ones!

If you're not sure how to pronounce some of these words, you can check SpanishPod101.com's guideSpanish pronunciation.

At SpanishPod101.com you will find everything you need to learn Spanish. For example if you followthis linkyou will find hundreds of different useful vocabulary lists in Spanish. But hey, that's not all! We have all the resources you need to become fluent in the language and familiarize yourself with the culture. Just visit our website, explore and learn!

We hope this article on how to say "sorry" in Spanish has been useful to you. Keep practicing and it won't be long before you master the art of saying "sorry" in Spanish culture. Much luck!