How to say 'excuse me' in Spanish: phrases, pronunciation, and when to use each
You say "excuse me" in Spanish with three main phrases: perdón for apologies and getting attention, disculpe (formal) or disculpa (informal) for polite requests, and con permiso when moving past someone. Each fits a different moment, and saying them out loud — even five minutes a day — locks the right one into muscle memory.
The three core phrases and when to use them
| Phrase | Pronunciation | Use case | Formality | |--------|---------------|----------|-----------| | Perdón | per‑DOHN | Apologizing (bumping into someone), getting a stranger's attention, "sorry?" when you didn't hear | Neutral / universal | | Disculpe | dis‑KOOL‑peh | Asking a stranger for directions, the time, help — any polite request to someone you address as usted | Formal | | Disculpa | dis‑KOOL‑pah | Same as disculpe but with friends, peers, kids — anyone you'd tú | Informal | | Con permiso | kohn per‑MEE‑soh | Passing through a crowd, leaving a table, reaching across someone — "excuse me, coming through" | Neutral / universal |
Quick rule of thumb: if you're sorry, say perdón. If you're asking, say disculpe/disculpa. If you're moving, say con permiso.
Pronunciation tips that make you sound natural
- Perdón — stress the second syllable, roll the r lightly, keep the o open (like door but shorter). The n is soft, tongue behind the top teeth.
- Disculpe / Disculpa — the sc sounds like sk in school; u is silent after sc (dis‑KOOL‑peh, not dis‑kul‑peh). Stress the cool.
- Con permiso — link the words: kohn‑per‑MEE‑soh. The r in permiso is a single tap, not a trill.
Say each phrase three times in a row, then use it in a full sentence. Your mouth learns the rhythm, not just the word.
Common situations — what to say and why
You bump into someone on the metro → Perdón. (Neutral, works everywhere.)
You need directions from a waiter or older person → Disculpe, ¿me puede decir cómo llegar a…? (Formal request.)
You didn't catch what a friend said → ¿Perdón? or ¿Disculpa? (Rising intonation = "say that again?")
You're squeezing past people to exit a row → Con permiso, con permiso. (Repeat as you move.)
You're interrupting a conversation to ask a quick question → Disculpen un momento. (Plural disculpen addresses the group.)
Mini practice routine (5 minutes, out loud)
- Warm‑up (30 s) — Say each core phrase three times: perdón, perdón, perdón… disculpe, disculpe, disculpe… con permiso, con permiso, con permiso.
- Context cards (2 min) — Read a situation above, say the right phrase, then say the full sentence. Do all five.
- Role‑flip (1 min) — Imagine the other person replies. Answer naturally: No se preocupe, Claro que sí, Adelante.
- Speed round (1 min) — Shuffle the situations mentally. Say the phrase + sentence without pausing.
- Record & compare (30 s) — Record yourself on your phone. Play back. Notice one thing to smooth tomorrow.
Do this once a day. The phrases stop feeling like vocabulary and start feeling like reflexes.
With a Langel
You: "I want to practice the three ways to say 'excuse me' in Spanish." Langel: "Perfect. Let's start with perdón. Say it like you just bumped into someone." You: "Perdón." Langel: "Good — softer r, open o: per‑DOHN. Now try disculpe as if you're asking a waiter for the check." You: "Disculpe, la cuenta por favor." Langel: "Nailed the sk sound. Now con permiso — imagine you're leaving a crowded tapas bar." You: "Con permiso, con permiso." Langel: "Smooth linking. Want to run a quick dialogue where I'm the stranger and you pick the right phrase each time?" You: "Yes, let's do two minutes." Langel: "Ready. Scenario one: you didn't hear me." You: "¿Perdón?" Langel: "Scenario two: you need directions from a police officer." You: "Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar?" Langel: "Scenario three: you're reaching for the salt across the table." You: "Con permiso." Langel: "All three correct. Want to swap roles or try the informal disculpa with a friend?" You: "Let's try disculpa." Langel: "Great — your turn to give me a situation."
Frequently asked questions
Is "perdón" only for apologies?
No. Perdón also works to get a stranger's attention ("Perdón, ¿tiene hora?") or to ask someone to repeat ("¿Perdón?"). It's the most versatile of the three.
When do I use "disculpe" vs "disculpa"?
Match the pronoun you'd use with that person: usted → disculpe; tú → disculpa. If you're unsure, default to disculpe — it's never wrong to be polite.
Can I say "excuse me" as "excusa me" in Spanish?
No. Excusa me doesn't exist. The verb is disculpar; the set phrases are disculpe, disculpa, perdón, and con permiso.
What about "permiso" alone?
Permiso by itself is common when entering a home or shop ("¿Permiso?"). For moving through people, con permiso is the full, natural form.
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