Short answer
“excuse me” in Spanish is perdón
How to say excuse me in Spanish?
If you are wondering how to say excuse me in Spanish, the word you will hear most often is perdón. Use perdón when you bump into someone, interrupt, or want to apologize. In more formal settings, disculpe works well, while perdona is the casual form used with friends. If you are squeezing past someone, say con permiso. The examples below show each option in real conversations, with notes on tone and politeness.
Common pairings
¡Perdón por la demora!pedir perdónDisculpe, ¿me puede ayudar?con permiso, paso
How to use it
- Use perdón as an all-purpose excuse me, especially after a mistake, a collision, or a small interruption.
- To get someone's attention, use disculpe in formal situations and perdona with friends, classmates, or younger people.
- Use con permiso only when you want to pass, enter, or leave a space; do not use it to apologize.
Examples
¡Perdón! No te vi.
Excuse me! I didn't see you.
Perdón is the quickest way to apologize when you bump into someone.
Disculpe, ¿dónde está la estación?
Excuse me, where is the station?
Disculpe uses the formal usted form, so it is a safe choice with strangers.
Perdona, ¿tienes hora?
Excuse me, do you have the time?
Perdona is the informal tú version, good for friends or people your age.
Con permiso, voy a pasar.
Excuse me, I'm going to pass.
Use con permiso when moving through a crowd or stepping past someone.
Common mistakes
| Wrong | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño? | Perdóname means 'forgive me' and sounds too heavy for getting attention. Use disculpe or perdona instead. | |
| Con permiso, voy a pasar. | Gracias means 'thank you.' To ask permission to pass in front of someone, say con permiso. |
| Unnatural | Natural | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Perdona, ¿qué hora es? | The literal verb excusar exists in Spanish, but native speakers rarely use it this way; perdona or disculpe sounds natural. |
FAQ
- How to say excuse me in Spanish?The most common Spanish equivalent is perdón. Use it to apologize after bumping into someone or to get attention. For a formal 'excuse me,' say disculpe; for a casual one, perdona; and when passing in front of someone, say con permiso.
- Is there a difference between perdón and disculpe?Yes. Perdón is the all-purpose word for 'sorry' or 'excuse me.' Disculpe is more formal and is usually directed at a stranger or someone you do not know well.
- Can I use con permiso to say sorry?No. Con permiso asks for permission to pass, enter, or leave. For an apology, use perdón or lo siento.
- How do I say excuse me to a friend?Use perdona, the tú form of the verb perdonar. For example: Perdona, ¿me prestas tu bolígrafo? (Excuse me, can I borrow your pen?)