Are you facing a moment when you have to say sorry in Spanish, but your tongue refuses to move because you have no idea what words to choose? It’s a common problem! Any human being who has spent at least several years in this world has to apologize from time to time. Our life is unpredictable, and it’s great when there is one universal word that covers all unfortunate situations. Take English as an example: has your friend ruined her dress right on the night of her prom? Tell them how sorry you are. Are you late for class, and you barge in after the teacher has already started talking? One murmured, “I’m sorry,” and chances are, you’ll be able to proceed to your seat peacefully. Having a painful break-up, visiting someone’s funeral, kicking someone by sheer accident — “sorry” is a word for every problem. But not all languages are like this.

How to say sorry in Spanish? It’s more difficult than you think because doing a quick online search is unlikely to help you. There are too many options that differ depending on context. You could always contact the best human translation service with a request for assistance, but it takes time. The easier solution is to learn the difference between apologetic words and use them appropriately! It doesn’t matter if you plan to visit Spain as a tourist, want to study there, or simply run into a Spanish-speaking person: knowing how to apologize could save you from trouble and let you prove that you have good manners!

Say Sorry for Offending Someone

All of us have made mistakes that we regret. It could be anything from saying the wrong thing, getting caught in a lie, to doing something that hurts someone. Whether we do it on purpose or by accident, sooner or later, we feel the need to apologize. So how do you say sorry in Spanish when you know you made a mistake? There are five possible options to pick from.

• I’m sorry, aka “Lo siento.” Let’s start with something simple and common. The typical word for expressing regret over doing or saying something in Spanish would be “lo siento.” Use it if you offended a person, ate the last piece of pizza, stepped on someone’s toe, etc. If the situation is dire and you want to make an apology more heartfelt, add a special emphasizing word. One option is saying, “lo siento mucho.” This means “I’m very sorry,” and it could melt the hearts even of the toughest folks. Another best way to say sorry with an emphasis is “lo siento tanto” — “tanto” is translated as “so,” so we get “I’m so sorry.” Three of these options are appropriate, and they sound simple enough for everyone to remember them.
• Forgive me, aka “Perdóname.” The second most common way for voicing regrets hides in this one simple word. The point is in how a person decides on expressing themselves: if you’d like to sound more formal or just use another word for sorry or apologize, this is your best option. “Perdóname” is easy to remember as it’s even shorter than the previous variant, but we could intensify it if the guilt is really serious. Add please at the beginning by saying, “Por favor, perdóname.” If you’re panicking and have different options mixed up in your head, don’t worry about combining them. It’s perfectly all right to say, “Lo siento, perdóname,” which would mean, “I’m sorry, forgive me.”
• I apologize, aka “Le pido disculpas.” Among all synonyms for sorry, this one is probably one of the most difficult ones. It sounds complex, and it features three different words. On the one hand, it is formal, but on the other, it is lighter than “forgive me,” so in some ways, they are interchangeable. Decide which option is better based on a specific situation. Add “sincerely” for extra effect by saying: “Te pido disculpas de corazón.” Note how we used “le” in one instance and “te” in another one. The secret is in the tone. “Le” is formal — this is what we’d pick for referring to a stranger. “Te” is informal and would be suitable when speaking with friends or relatives.
• You can’t imagine how sorry I am aka “No te imaginas cuánto lo siento.” How do you say I'm sorry in Spanish in a grand and profound way? Introduce some heart into your apology. Use this expression, and the offended party will understand that an apology is sincere and that you truly mean it. It sounds a bit wordy, but the similarity between “imagine” and “imagines” should be helpful. It facilitates the process of memorizing it.
• I owe you an apology, aka “Le debo disculpas”. Relatively short, straightforward, and perfectly clear. Use this option for saying I'm sorry in Spanish if you prefer it or if other variants don’t fit for some reason. Keep the “te and le” rule in mind. As we already explained, the former is informal, while the latter should be used only in a formal context.

Be Polite by Using the Correct Form of Excuse Me

We covered several instances of when a person does something wrong and hopes to make amends with a person they hurt. But it’s only the beginning! Wondering what are other words for sorry in Spanish? The first and most obvious option is “excuse me.” We all had to say it at some point. In Spain, people use “perdón” when they want to interfere in a conversation or merely attract someone’s attention, such as by asking for directions.

But this word is pretty informal in nature. If someone plans on hiring the best contract translation services and hopes for advice, asking older clients or making a polite online post would be a good idea. For this, use “disculpa” or better yet, “disculpe.” The latter is the most formal option.
Finally, there is “con permiso.” English speakers might have already recognized what “permiso” stands for. That’s right, it denotes permission, so in a literal sense, we’d translate it as “with permission.” It’s one of the polite ways to say sorry in Spanish when a person is trying to enter a busy bus, move to a shelf they want in a shop, etc. Fortunately for you, there are no wrong or right choices here. For saying “excuse me,” each of the variants we outlined will do.

Comfort Someone by Expressing Your Sorrow

Life could be cruel. Sometimes people we love suffer losses, and all we can do is watch them struggle with it helplessly, wishing we could do something to help. They might be fired from a favorite job, experience the death of a pet, or lose their home or a partner. None of it is your fault, but you might still want to say sorry in Spanish. Getting the best Spanish translations is beneficial when someone plans a whole speech, but for giving simple comfort, you’ll need just a word or two. “Lo siento” is a good option. We covered it above: it means “I’m sorry,” and it’s probably the most genuine of the simplest variants. Say it, make your friend a cup of hot Spanish chocolate, bring a blanket, and watch a movie together. Silence can be as meaningful as an apology in this instance.
For a stronger I'm sorry in Spanish translation, try “no sabes cuánto lo siento.” It translates to “You have no idea how sorry I am,” and it conveys the depth of one’s feelings effectively. This expression is suitable in grave situations, and your friend might appreciate it. It conveys desperation, sorrow, regret, and support at the same time, which makes it a powerful sentence. If your Spanish friend or relative has lost someone they loved, supporting them by expressing condolences is a painful but appropriate decision. Tell them, “Mi más sentido pésame.” This means “my deepest condolences,” and it covers all kinds of physical losses of a person. A more detailed apology could feature “por tu perdida.” When put together, “Mi más sentido pésame por tu perdida” means “My deepest condolences for your loss.”
But this isn’t the end of it, we have other ways to say sorry to recommend! “Lamento lo ocurrido” is perfect for situations where someone wants to emphasize that they regret an event itself. Its translation is, “I’m sorry about what happened.” Complete it with a hug if a person who suffered a loss is close at the moment. Use any of these options — even if the context is confusing and you fail at distinguishing it, each of the expressions we outlined will convey your heartfelt emotions. After all, this is what matters most.

Gift Your Forgiveness to Someone
Sometimes we pose a problem and do or say something we later regret. But people who surround us might be guilty of the exact same problem. If someone hurt you and now they are looking for different ways to say sorry, you could prepare the words of forgiveness. They might have the same value as an apology itself. The simplest and clearest option is, “Te perdono.” It means “I forgive you.” Its tone is informal. For formal acceptance, use “Estas” instead of “Te.”
A person who doesn’t mind forgiving someone could also tell them, “No hay problema.” As the Spanish word heavily hints, it means “no problem.” Sure, it might sound somewhat indifferent, but if the situation warrants it, why not? Even if someone learned how to say I'm sorry in Spanish, it doesn’t mean they’ll be instantly forgiven. Finally, consider saying “gracias.” We find this option the most gratifying because it sounds very genuine while staying simple. It means “thank you,” and by saying it, a person acknowledges that they were hurt but reveals that they appreciate the apology and can consider moving forward.

Another Word for Sorry in Spanish: Verbs that Could Do Miracles

While we listed a serious number of ways of saying sorry, there are some more in store. You saw four common scenarios above. How about learning three key verbs that could get you through any regretful situation?

• Using the verb “disculparse” as in “apologize”. Spanish has a wonderful word, “disculparse.” It’s an irregular verb, meaning that it changes inflections depending on the first, second, or third person, but it’s diverse and many-layered. People could use it for a cute sorry or a serious apology. Say “Yo me disculpo” and complete it with a flirty smile or a grave look.
• Using the verb “reconciliarse” as in “reconcile.” Both Spanish and English options are similar, which will help your mind remember them correctly. Most people use this verb when they inform others about making up with someone. “Nos reconciliamos” means “we made up” — add a date or details if you want.
• Using the verb “justificar” as in “justify.” This is an interesting option as it doesn’t really mean “sorry.” Sometimes people cannot bring themselves to admit their guilt — besides, we might offend someone without meaning to. If you said or did something wrong and now you’d like to explain your reasoning, use “justificar.” Start with “Yo justifico,” then add whatever it is you’d like.

Pick the Best Option among All the Ways to Say Sorry in Spanish

You know how many possibilities of apologizing in Spanish are out there now. Choose any of them, break them into more specific scenarios and see which option fits your situation best! If you need more advanced help, such as for bringing your game to life, look into top game localization companies, and they’ll find experts. Spanish is a fascinating language, and while not everyone finds it simple enough, numerous people could give you a hand when it comes to translations. Make new friends and broaden your knowledge!