How do you say Excuse me in Spanish?
The most common way to say “excuse me” in Spanish is Disculpe. Here are the main options, when to use each, and how to pronounce them.
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Disculpe
dees-KOOL-peh
Getting someone’s attention or asking a question — polite (usted). Informal: disculpa.
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Perdón
pehr-DOHN
Sorry — bumping into someone, interrupting, or not hearing them.
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Con permiso
kohn pehr-MEE-soh
Excuse me while I pass through, or leave the table.
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¿Perdón?
pehr-DOHN
“Sorry?” — when you did not catch what was said.
Use it in a sentence
- Excuse me, where is the station?Disculpe, ¿dónde está la estación?
- Excuse me, may I get past?Con permiso, ¿puedo pasar?
- Excuse me, I didn’t mean to.Perdón, no fue mi intención.
- Sorry? I didn’t hear you.¿Perdón? No te escuché.
Good to know
English uses “excuse me” for three different jobs; Spanish splits them. Attention: disculpe. Apology: perdón. Passing by: con permiso.
In Mexico ¿mande? is a common way to say “sorry, what?”