You are trying to get a waiter’s attention, move past someone on a crowded train, or apologize after accidentally bumping into a stranger—but which Spanish phrase should you use? I’ve been there! A textbook may give you one translation, but native speakers choose different expressions depending on the situation.
The most useful all-purpose way to say “excuse me” in Spanish is perdón. However, you may also hear disculpe, disculpa, or con permiso.
They are not always interchangeable — this kind of situational nuance is exactly what separates real fluency from textbook language learning. One works well for getting someone’s attention, another is better when passing through a crowd, and another changes depending on whether the conversation is formal or casual.
In this guide, you will learn which version sounds natural in real conversations—and how to avoid sounding overly formal or robotic! Practicing these with AI language apps can help you get the tone right through repetition, and Babbel also has lessons that cover these everyday polite expressions.
How Do You Say “Excuse Me” in Spanish?
The most common all-purpose translation of “excuse me” in Spanish is perdón. Use it when you accidentally interrupt someone, bump into a person, or need to get someone’s attention politely.
Spanish phrase: Perdón
Literal translation: Pardon / forgiveness
Natural translation: Excuse me / sorry
Formality and context: Neutral — suitable for strangers, friends, shops, restaurants, and public places
Pronunciation: pehr-DOHN
Stress the second syllable: -dón. The final n should remain soft and natural.
Example:
Perdón, ¿sabes dónde está la estación?
“Excuse me, do you know where the station is?”
If you want to say excuse me in Spanish and only learn one phrase, perdón is the safest choice. This short phrase translates naturally across many situations, which is why it is the commonly used expression you will hear most often from Spanish speakers. It works as a polite interjection when you need someone’s attention or want to apologize quickly.
The literal translation of perdón is closer to “pardon” or “forgiveness,” but what it means in Spanish depends on the situation. For example, saying it after accidentally stepping on someone’s foot is closer to “sorry,” while saying it before asking a stranger a question feels like “excuse me.”
I remember learning this phrase and thinking there must be a more complicated way of saying “excuse,” but honestly, this simple expression is often the best expression for everyday conversations. The right way of saying it depends on your context: apologizing, interrupting a conversation, passing someone, or getting attention politely.
Later, we’ll look at other ways to say “excuse me” in Spanish when the situation becomes more formal or specific.
Perdón, Disculpa, Disculpe, or Con Permiso?
English speakers often use “excuse me” for many different situations, but Spanish usually chooses different expressions depending on the purpose. The best way to sound natural is to understand when each phrase fits instead of using one translation everywhere.
Perdón
Literal translation: Pardon
Natural translation: Excuse me / sorry
Formality and context: Neutral — used for small mistakes, interruptions, or getting attention
Pronunciation: pehr-DOHN
Example:
Perdón, no te escuché.
“Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
Perdón is often used to apologize or ask for forgiveness after a small mistake. It means “excuse” in a softer sense and is probably the safest option for beginners.
Disculpa
Literal translation: Excuse
Natural translation: Excuse me
Formality and context: Casual — friends, classmates, coworkers, or people around your age
Pronunciation: dees-KOOL-pah
Example:
Disculpa, ¿puedo hacerte una pregunta?
“Excuse me, can I ask you a question?”
This phrase is common when you want someone’s attention politely. You may also hear perdona, which works similarly in casual conversations.
Disculpe
Literal translation: Excuse
Natural translation: Excuse me
Formality and context: Formal — strangers, elders, customers, or professional situations
Pronunciation: dees-KOOL-peh
Example:
Disculpe, ¿esta mesa está libre?
“Excuse me, is this table available?”
Finally, con permiso means “with permission.” It is used when you need permission to do something, like passing through a crowd or entering a space.
Example:
Con permiso, necesito pasar.
“Excuse me, I need to get through.”
These different phrases are not always used in the same way.
If you want to check the precise dictionary definitions and regional usage notes for any of these words, the Diccionario de la lengua española from the Real Academia Española is the authoritative reference for standard Spanish.
Similarly, learners looking for structured lessons on politeness expressions can consult the Instituto Cervantes, Spain’s official institution for Spanish language education. Learning these small differences will help you choose the right expression naturally.
Formal vs. Casual Ways to Say “Excuse Me”
Spanish does not always use one fixed phrase for “excuse me.” Unlike English, Spanish often shows respect through verb forms, so choosing disculpa or disculpe tells people your relationship with the speaker. Understanding this level of formality helps you sound natural instead of overly familiar.
Casual: Disculpa or Perdona
Literal translation: Excuse / forgive
Natural translation: Excuse me
Formality and context: Casual — friends, siblings, classmates, romantic partners, or people your age
Pronunciation:
Disculpa: dees-KOOL-pah
Perdona: pehr-DOH-nah
Example:
Perdona, ¿qué dijiste?
“Excuse me, what did you say?”
These informal expressions are common in everyday conversations. Perdona is especially common in Spain, while disculpa is widely understood across Spanish-speaking countries. You can use them in an informal setting when speaking with friends or family members. However, using a casual form while addressing someone older or a customer may sound too familiar.
Formal: Disculpe or Perdone
Literal translation: Excuse / forgive
Natural translation: Excuse me
Formality and context: Formal — strangers, elders, customer service, workplaces, and official interactions
Pronunciation:
Disculpe: dees-KOOL-peh
Perdone: pehr-DOH-neh
Example:
Disculpe, señor, creo que se le cayó esto.
“Excuse me, sir, I think you dropped this.”
Formal and informal expressions depend on the situation. If you want to be polite and the relationship is unclear, formal forms are the safer choice. They work in professional conversations and any situation where respect matters.
Regional Variations: Spain, Mexico, and Argentina
Spanish speakers across the world will understand the main “excuse me” phrases, but native speakers do not always use them with the same frequency or tone. The meaning stays clear, but the expression that sounds most natural can change depending on the Spanish-speaking country.
Spain
Common phrases: Perdona, perdone, disculpa
Literal translation: Forgive / excuse
Natural translation: Excuse me
Formality and context: Perdona is very common in casual conversations, while perdone is the formal version.
Pronunciation: pehr-DOH-nah
Example:
Perdona, ¿este asiento está ocupado?
“Excuse me, is this seat taken?”
In Spain, you will hear native speakers use perdona constantly when speaking casually. Disculpa is also correct, but it can sometimes sound slightly more formal than needed in relaxed situations.
Mexico
Common phrases: Disculpe, disculpa, con permiso
Literal translation: Excuse / with permission
Natural translation: Excuse me
Pronunciation: dees-KOOL-peh
Example:
Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar?
“Excuse me, can you help me?”
Mexican Spanish often prefers polite expressions when speaking with strangers, especially in shops, restaurants, and service situations. You may also hear con permiso when someone needs to pass by.
Argentina and Other Latin American Countries
Common phrases: Disculpá, perdón, permiso
Literal translation: Excuse / pardon / permission
Natural translation: Excuse me
Pronunciation: dees-kool-PAH
Example:
Disculpá, ¿sabés qué hora es?
“Excuse me, do you know what time it is?”
In Argentina and Uruguay, speakers often use disculpá because of the local vos form. While disculpa is understood, it may sound less locally natural. Also, people often shorten con permiso to simply permiso when moving through a crowd. You may even hear the polite phrase “con su permiso” in more respectful situations.
How to Pronounce “Excuse Me” in Spanish
Pronunciation is one of the biggest challenges for English speakers learning Spanish. To speak Spanish naturally, focus less on matching English sounds and more on Spanish rhythm, clear vowels, and word stress.
Perdón
Literal translation: Pardon
Natural translation: Excuse me / sorry
Context: Neutral and versatile
Pronunciation: pehr-DOHN
Stress the dón clearly. Keep the Spanish r light instead of making a strong English “r” sound.
Example:
Perdón, fue un accidente.
“Sorry, it was an accident.”
Disculpe
Literal translation: Excuse
Natural translation: Excuse me
Context: Formal or respectful
Pronunciation: dees-KOOL-peh
The stress falls on cul. Make sure to pronounce the final e clearly; do not cut it off like “disculp.”
Example:
Disculpe, ¿puedo pasar?
“Excuse me, may I pass?”
Con permiso
Literal translation: With permission
Natural translation: Excuse me / may I pass?
Context: Passing, entering, or leaving politely
Pronunciation: kohn pehr-MEE-soh
Keep each vowel short and clear. Practicing these phrases will help improve your Spanish and make your language learning journey feel more natural. Small pronunciation details are what help you sound more like a native.
Real Mini-Dialogues Using “Excuse Me”
Learning Spanish becomes much easier when you see phrases in real conversations instead of isolated examples. The way you use “excuse me” changes depending on whether you need to get someone’s attention, interrupt a conversation, move through a space, or apologize after bumping into someone.
Dialogue 1: Asking a Stranger for Directions
Key phrase: Disculpe
Literal translation: Excuse
Natural translation: Excuse me
Formality and context: Formal — speaking to an unfamiliar adult
Pronunciation: dees-KOOL-peh
A: Disculpe, ¿dónde está el metro?
“Excuse me, where is the subway?”
B: Está a dos calles de aquí.
“It’s two streets from here.”
This is a common way to get someone’s attention politely when you need help from a stranger.
Dialogue 2: Moving Through a Crowd
Key phrase: Con permiso
Literal translation: With permission
Natural translation: Excuse me / let me pass
Formality and context: Neutral — public transport, shops, events, or narrow spaces
Pronunciation: kohn pehr-MEE-soh
A: Con permiso, necesito bajar aquí.
“Excuse me, I need to get off here.”
B: Claro, adelante.
“Of course, go ahead.”
Use this when squeezing past someone, standing up from a table, or trying to pass someone without being rude.
Dialogue 3: Interrupting a Friend
Key phrase: Perdona
Literal translation: Forgive
Natural translation: Excuse me
Formality and context: Casual — friends or familiar people
Pronunciation: pehr-DOH-nah
A: Perdona, ¿puedo decir algo?
“Excuse me, can I say something?”
B: Sí, dime.
“Yes, go ahead.”
This phrase works well when you need to interrupt or enter a Spanish conversation with someone you already know.
Common Mistakes English Speakers Make
Many English speakers assume that every phrase connected to “excuse me” has a direct Spanish equivalent, but that is not always true. Saying “excuse” in Spanish depends on the situation, the relationship between speakers, and the level of apology involved.
Using Lo Siento for Every Situation
Spanish phrase: Lo siento
Literal translation: I feel it
Natural translation: I’m sorry
Formality and context: Apologies involving real regret — not normally used just to pass someone or get attention
Pronunciation: loh SYEHN-toh
Example:
Use Perdón, ¿puedo pasar? instead of Lo siento, ¿puedo pasar?
Although lo siento literally means “I feel it,” it carries emotional weight. Using it for a small interruption or bump can sound unnecessarily serious.
Translating “Excuse” Directly as Excusa
Spanish phrase: Excusa
Literal translation: An excuse
Natural translation: A reason or justification
A common mistake is assuming English and Spanish word forms always work the same way. Excusa is a noun, not the phrase you normally use for saying “excuse me.”
Example:
Eso es solo una excusa.
“That is only an excuse.”
Overusing Perdóname
Spanish phrase: Perdóname
Literal translation: Forgive me
Natural translation: Please forgive me
This phrase is for personal or emotional apologies. Saying perdóname after a small mistake may sound too intense.
Example:
Perdóname por mentirte.
“Forgive me for lying to you.”
Ignoring Formality
Spanish phrases based on respect often change depending on who you are addressing. Disculpa is casual, while disculpe is formal. The wrong choice is not always offensive, but it can make your Spanish sound unnatural. Learning when to use them correctly helps you communicate more like a native speaker.
Related Phrases and Natural Responses
When learning how to say “excuse me” in Spanish, it helps to learn the phrases that usually come before or after it. These expressions are used to ask for help, request permission, or respond politely in everyday conversations.
¿Puede ayudarme?
Literal translation: Can you help me?
Natural translation: Could you help me?
Formality and context: Formal — strangers, customer service, and situations where you need assistance
Pronunciation: PWEH-deh ah-yoo-DAHR-meh
Example:
Disculpe, ¿puede ayudarme?
“Excuse me, could you help me?”
This phrase comes in handy when asking for help from someone you do not know. It can also be useful when you need directions or want someone to explain something.
¿Me permite?
Literal translation: Do you permit me?
Natural translation: May I? / Excuse me
Formality and context: Polite or formal — entering, passing, or handling something
Pronunciation: meh pehr-MEE-teh
Example:
¿Me permite pasar?
“May I pass?”
You may hear this when someone wants permission to move through a space or enter a room.
No pasa nada
Literal translation: Nothing happens
Natural translation: No problem / it’s okay
Formality and context: Neutral to casual response after a minor apology
Example:
—Perdón. —No pasa nada.
“—Sorry. —No problem.”
Adelante means “go ahead” or “come in.” It is a common response when someone says con permiso and wants to continue. These phrases make your Spanish conversation smoother and more natural. You can also use them when asking someone to repeat something politely, like ¿Puede repetir? (“Could you repeat?”).
Conclusion: Which Version Should You Use?
If you only remember one way to say “excuse me” in Spanish, make it perdón. It is the best general-purpose option when you are unsure about the exact context. Use perdón for a quick interruption, a small mistake, bumping into someone, or politely getting someone’s attention.
For more specific situations, choose the phrase that matches the relationship. Use disculpe when speaking to a stranger, an older person, a customer, or someone in a professional setting. Use disculpa or perdona with friends and familiar people where a casual tone feels natural. Use con permiso when you need to physically pass, enter, leave, or reach around someone.
The key to sounding natural in Spanish is not memorizing one direct translation. It is understanding the situation and choosing the expression that fits. Practice saying each phrase out loud and focus on the correct stress and rhythm.
Keep building your conversational Spanish by exploring how to say “sorry,” “thank you,” and “can you help me?” naturally.
