Spanish has several polite ways to get attention, say sorry, or ask someone to move, and the best choice depends on tone and setting.
English leans on “excuse me” for a lot of jobs. You use it to pass by someone, to get a server’s attention, to apologize for a small slip, or to ask a person to repeat something. Spanish works a bit differently. There is no single phrase that fits every moment with the same feel.
That’s why many learners feel stuck. They memorize one version, then hear native speakers use a different one in a shop, on a bus, or during class. The good news is that the pattern is easy once you see what each phrase is doing. Some forms sound soft and polite. Some sound a little more direct. Some lean toward “sorry,” while others lean toward “may I get your attention?”
This article breaks that down in plain language. You’ll learn what to say, when to say it, and what small tone shifts can change the feel of your words.
Different Ways To Say ‘Excuse Me’ In Spanish For Real Situations
If you want a safe starting point, begin with perdón and disculpe. Those two carry you through many everyday moments. Still, they are not twins. Perdón often feels like “sorry” or “pardon,” while disculpe can sound a bit more formal and can also work well when you need someone’s attention.
You may also hear con permiso. That one is common when you need to move past someone, enter through a tight space, or step between people. In English, that job often falls under “excuse me,” yet in Spanish, con permiso is usually the cleaner fit.
Then there is perdone, which is the formal command form tied to usted. It often appears in shops, hotels, offices, and first meetings. If you want to sound respectful with an adult you do not know, it is a strong pick.
Why one English phrase turns into several Spanish choices
Spanish often splits meaning by situation more clearly than English does. English lets one phrase do many jobs. Spanish tends to sort those jobs into separate lanes. That is why a direct word-for-word swap can sound off, even when the grammar is clean.
Think about the action you need. Are you apologizing? Are you trying to get attention? Are you asking for room to pass? Are you asking someone to repeat what they said? Once you answer that, the right phrase gets much easier to pick.
The safest starter phrases
These are the forms most learners should know early:
- Perdón — pardon, sorry, excuse me
- Perdone — pardon me, excuse me, formal
- Disculpe — excuse me, pardon me, formal or polite neutral
- Con permiso — excuse me, may I pass
If you say these with a calm tone and a polite face, you’ll sound natural in a wide range of everyday moments.
How each phrase feels in everyday speech
Perdón
Perdón is short, common, and useful. It works when you bump into someone lightly, interrupt for a second, or ask a person to repeat what they said. It can also carry a mild “sorry” tone. In many places, it sounds easy and human, not stiff.
You might use it like this in real life: “Perdón, ¿qué dijo?” or “Perdón, no era mi asiento.” It fits small slips well and sounds less heavy than a full apology.
Perdone
Perdone is the formal version linked to usted. It suits older adults, strangers, and service settings. It can sound respectful without feeling cold. If you are unsure how formal to be, this is often a smart choice.
Say it when you need to interrupt politely: “Perdone, ¿esta mesa está libre?” It can also soften a question that might feel a bit abrupt without it.
Disculpe
Disculpe also leans formal or respectful, though in many places it feels standard and widely useful. You can use it to get attention, ask for help, or say a light sorry. Many learners like it because it sounds polished and safe.
At a counter, you might say, “Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar?” On the street, you might use it before asking for directions. It is one of the best all-around choices for polite interaction.
Con permiso
Con permiso does a different job. It is what you say when you need physical space. Maybe you are moving through a crowded aisle, stepping past someone at a table, or leaving your seat row. This phrase signals, “May I pass?” more than “sorry.”
That small shift matters. If your main need is room, con permiso often sounds better than perdón. Native speakers use it a lot in tight spaces.
One easy way to remember the difference
If your mouth wants to say “sorry,” think perdón or disculpe. If your body wants to move through a space, think con permiso. That shortcut will get you close most of the time.
When “excuse me” means “sorry” in Spanish
Sometimes “excuse me” in English is really a small apology. Maybe you sneezed, stepped into someone’s view, or cut in by mistake. In those moments, Spanish often leans toward perdón or perdone.
If the mistake is tiny, perdón sounds natural and light. If you want more distance and respect, use perdone. If the moment needs a fuller apology, you may hear lo siento, though that usually feels heavier than a quick “excuse me.”
That means not every apology needs lo siento. Many everyday slips are better served by a simple perdón.
| Phrase | Best use | Typical feel |
|---|---|---|
| Perdón | Small apology, interruption, asking someone to repeat | Common, light, natural |
| Perdone | Formal apology or polite interruption | Respectful, a bit more distant |
| Disculpe | Getting attention, asking for help, polite interruption | Polite, safe, standard |
| Con permiso | Passing by, entering, moving through a space | Practical, courteous |
| Lo siento | Real apology with more emotional weight | Heavier, more personal |
| Oiga | Calling attention in a direct way | Direct, can feel sharp by tone |
| Perdona | Informal apology or interruption with someone you know | Friendly, casual |
| Disculpa | Informal polite interruption | Casual, smooth |
When you need attention, not forgiveness
A lot of learners miss this point. At a café or in a store, you often are not apologizing at all. You simply want the other person to notice you. In that case, disculpe or perdone tends to work well, since both can open the door to a question.
“Disculpe, ¿me trae la cuenta?” sounds polite and clear. “Perdone, ¿dónde está el baño?” does the same. In both cases, the phrase softens the request and shows good manners.
You may also hear oiga in some places. It means something like “listen” or “hey, excuse me.” It can be useful, though tone matters a lot. Said gently, it may sound normal. Said sharply, it can feel blunt. Learners are usually better off leaning on disculpe first.
Formal and informal forms
Spanish changes shape based on who you are speaking to. With a friend, you may hear perdona or disculpa. With a stranger, older adult, or customer-facing worker, perdone or disculpe fits better.
If you do not know which level to pick, formal is the safer side. It rarely sounds rude. Going too casual too soon can sound off, even if your words are correct.
Spanish phrases for passing by, interrupting, and repeating
Passing by someone
Use con permiso when your body needs room. This is the phrase you want in buses, rows of seats, narrow hallways, and crowded family meals. It is not dramatic. It is just polite and useful.
You can pair it with motion and a soft tone: “Con permiso.” That is often enough by itself.
Interrupting a conversation
If two people are talking and you need a second, use perdón, perdone, or disculpe, based on how formal the moment feels. If the setting is relaxed, perdón works well. If it is a work or service setting, disculpe may sound smoother.
Asking someone to repeat what they said
For this meaning of “excuse me,” perdón is common. You can also hear mande in some regions, especially in Mexico, though that one depends more on place and habit. If you want a form that travels more easily, stick with perdón or “Perdón, ¿cómo?”
| Situation | Best phrase | Sample line |
|---|---|---|
| You need to pass in a tight space | Con permiso | Con permiso, por favor. |
| You want a waiter’s attention | Disculpe | Disculpe, la cuenta, por favor. |
| You interrupt a stranger politely | Perdone | Perdone, ¿esta silla está ocupada? |
| You misheard someone | Perdón | Perdón, ¿qué dijo? |
| You lightly bump into someone | Perdón | Perdón. |
| You speak to a friend | Disculpa / Perdona | Disculpa, llego tarde. |
Mistakes learners make with ‘Excuse Me’ In Spanish
Using one phrase for every job
This is the most common slip. If you use disculpe for passing through a crowd, people will still understand you, yet con permiso may sound more natural. If you use con permiso after stepping on someone’s foot, it will sound odd, since you are not asking for space.
Picking the wrong level of formality
Perdona and disculpa are fine with friends, siblings, classmates, and people your age in relaxed settings. With strangers, staff, teachers, or older adults, perdone and disculpe often land better.
Forgetting that tone carries meaning
You can say the right phrase with the wrong tone and still sound rude. A soft voice, a short pause, and eye contact do a lot of work in Spanish. That part matters as much as the vocabulary.
Leaning too hard on direct translation
Word-for-word thinking can trap you here. Instead of asking, “What is the Spanish word for excuse me?” ask, “What am I trying to do right now?” That small shift helps you choose a phrase that sounds like something a real person would say.
Easy ways to sound more natural
Start with two pairs: perdón and disculpe, then con permiso for movement. Those three cover a lot of ground. After that, add the informal forms perdona and disculpa.
Practice in short chunks, not long speeches. Say them aloud as if you were at a counter, on a bus, or in a classroom doorway. Your mouth needs to get used to the rhythm. Spanish politeness often sounds smooth because the phrases are short and easy to drop in fast.
It also helps to notice what comes next. Many lines begin with the phrase and then move into the request:
- Disculpe, ¿me puede ayudar?
- Perdone, ¿dónde queda la estación?
- Con permiso.
- Perdón, ¿qué dijo?
Once those patterns feel familiar, your speech starts to flow with less effort.
Which phrase should you memorize first
If you want one broad, polite choice for many public situations, memorize disculpe. If you want one simple everyday word that sounds natural in many small moments, memorize perdón. If you travel or move through busy spaces, add con permiso right away.
That trio gives you range. You can get attention, apologize lightly, and pass by politely. For most learners, that is enough to sound courteous from day one.
So, what are the different ways to say “excuse me” in Spanish? The short list is perdón, perdone, disculpe, and con permiso. Pick the one that matches the moment, and your Spanish will sound more natural, more polite, and much more precise.