logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class

855-997-4652LoginTry a Free Class

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
April 27, 2022 by Luis F. Dominguez Spanish Instruction, Spanish Vocabulary 0 comments

How to Apologize in Spanish (and What ‘Lo Siento’ Really Means)

Have you ever needed to apologize in Spanish but didn’t know how? 

That’s a common issue when you’re learning a new language. You might be ready to communicate and express yourself up to a point, but when you really need to say something important, you may realize that you don’t yet have the right vocabulary. 

Learning to say lo siento and to apologize in Spanish is an important stepping stone on your path to fluency. Keep reading to learn how to apologize in Spanish, find out what lo siento really means, and discover other ways to apologize in this beautiful language. 


Table of Contents:

  • How To Apologize in Spanish
  • The True Meaning of Lo Siento
  • Other Ways to Apologize in Spanish
  • Improve Your Spanish With Real Conversations

How To Apologize in Spanish

Apologizing is a natural element of daily life. It’s something that we all do for many reasons and in a diversity of contexts. If you know how to apologize in English, you understand how important it is to learn how to apologize in Spanish as part of your language learning process. 

Just like in English, you apologize in many ways in Spanish. Perhaps the most common one is saying lo siento. Let’s start exploring what lo siento really means and then move onto other ways of apologizing in Spanish. 

The True Meaning of Lo Siento

Although the meaning of lo siento is “I’m sorry,” this isn’t an exact translation. Literally, lo siento means “I feel it”—which, if you think about it, is a beautiful way of apologizing. 

What exactly is that thing that you feel? 

It’s whatever you did wrong that’s made you “feel” that you need to apologize. 

But you can also interpret lo siento as an empathetic “feeling” of another person’s pain or embarrassment, whether it’s your fault or not. I like this interpretation a lot because it shows regret, empathy, and kindness. 

Literally, lo siento means “I feel it”—which, if you think about it, is a beautiful way of apologizing. 

Lo Siento Variants

You use lo siento in several ways, with a series of variants that express the same idea of “I’m sorry” and “I feel it.” It’s time to learn a few of them! 

Lo siento mucho.
I’m very sorry. 

¡Que lo siento!
I said I’m sorry!

Lo siento mucho.

Siento + que 

This structure usually includes a subjunctive after que. 

Siento que vengas tan tarde. 
I’m sorry you came so late. 

Siento que te haya fallado. 
I’m sorry that I failed you. 

Siento + lo 

This expression can be followed either by que or de. 

Siento lo que pasó ayer. 
I’m sorry for what happened yesterday. 

Siento lo de tu hermano. 
I’m sorry for what happened to your brother. 

Siento lo de tu hermano. 

Siento + infinitive

Use this construction to apologize about a specific action. You can include a no before the infinitive to build a negative sentence. 

Siento decir esto. 
I’m sorry for saying this.

Siento no llegar a tiempo. 
I’m sorry for not arriving on time. 

Other Ways to Apologize in Spanish

As I mentioned, lo siento is just one of the many ways you apologize in Spanish. Let’s learn a few other ways to apologize and say you’re sorry in Spanish. 

Other Ways to Apologize in Spanish infographic

Perdón

Perdón literally means “forgiveness.” You use it to apologize in the same way as with lo siento, but also when you didn’t understand something well and want to ask for clarification, or when you bump into someone accidentally. 

You can simply say perdón or:

Perdona. (You informal: tú)
Forgive.

Perdone. (You formal: usted)
Forgive.

Perdóname.
Forgive me.

Te pido que me perdones. 
I ask you to forgive me.

Te pido perdón. 
I ask you for your forgiveness. 

¿Me perdonas?
Do you forgive me?

Te pido que me perdones. 

Disculpa

Disculpa is a useful word in Spanish. It means “excuse” or “apology,” but it’s much more than that. In Spanish, the concept of apologizing is known as pedir disculpas, literally “asking for apologies.” You can use disculpa for minor incidents, too. 

In some contexts, the word is interchangeable with perdón and means exactly the same thing. For that reason, you’ll see some of the same expressions as with perdón. 

Disculpa. (You informal: tú)
I apologize. 

Disculpe. (You formal: usted)
I apologize. 

Discúlpame. 
Forgive me. 

Te pido una disculpa. 
I ask you for your forgiveness. 

¿Me disculpas?
Do you forgive me? 

Lo lamento

This expression literally means “I regret it,” but you use it in the same way as lo siento. If you replace the word siento with lamento in all the examples shown above for lo siento, the meaning of the expression doesn’t change.   

Lo lamento mucho. 
I’m very sorry. 

Lamento lo que pasó ayer. 
I’m sorry about what happened yesterday. 

Lamento escuchar eso. 
I’m sorry to hear that. 

Lamentar can also express condolences about the loss or death of someone, particularly in the following structure:

Lamento tu pérdida. 
I’m sorry for your loss. 

In this case, using sentir wouldn’t be enough, and lamentar is the only option that works using this formula.

Read more: How to Use ‘Lo’ as the Neuter Gender in Spanish

Me arrepiento de lo que hice

In line with expressing your regret in Spanish, this phrase means “I regret what I did.” It’s a clear admission of guilt and another way to apologize in Spanish. 

Me arrepiento de lo que hice, espero algún día puedas perdonarme. 
I regret what I did, I hope one day you can forgive me. 

Me arrepiento de lo que hice, espero algún día puedas perdonarme. 

No debí haber hecho eso

A different way of showing regret, this expression translates as “I shouldn’t have done that.” Change hecho (done) to dicho (said) and the phrase still works in the same way. 

Tienes razón, no debí haber hecho eso.
You’re right, I shouldn’t have done that. 

Lo siento mucho, no debí haber dicho eso. 
I’m very sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.

Read more: How to Express Your Deepest Regrets in Spanish

Es mi culpa

In a way, apologizing is an admission of guilt and this is the most direct way to do exactly that. Meaning “It’s my fault,” this expression can also take a different form: Es culpa mía. Both phrases mean the exact same thing. 

Perdóname, es mi culpa. 
Forgive me, it’s my fault.

Es culpa mía, no volverá a pasar. 
It’s my fault, it won’t happen again. 

Condolences

Here you have three more examples of what you can say when someone suffers the loss of a beloved person. 

Mis condolencias. 
My condolences. 

Mi más sentido pésame. 
My deepest condolences. 

Comparto tu dolor. 
I share your pain. 

Comparto tu dolor. 

Read more: Respectful Ways to Offer Condolences in Spanish 

Excuse me

There’s a way of apologizing that’s not so much about something you did wrong, but about apologizing “up front” for what’s about to happen. For example, you use it when you need someone to move and let you pass by. 

You aren’t apologizing because you made a mistake, but because you’re bothering another person due to a need you have. 

Con permiso, ¿puedo pasar?
Excuse me, may I come in?

Permiso por favor, necesito llegar al mostrador.
Excuse me please, I need to get to the front desk.

Perdone la molestia, pero… (You formal: usted)
Sorry to bother you, but…

Con permiso, ¿puedo pasar?

Improve Your Spanish With Real Conversations

Saying lo siento and learning other ways to apologize in Spanish is an important step in your language learning process. 

Remember that becoming fluent in Spanish not only opens the door to better jobs, but also improves your cognition and decision-making abilities. 

If you’re ready to jump into an authentic Spanish conversation without paying a cent, sign up today for a free trial class at Homeschool Spanish Academy. Our certified, native-speaking teachers from Guatemala are experts in making you feel comfortable as you practice and improve your Spanish skills—no matter your level to start. More than 24,000 actively enrolled students enjoy our Spanish classes every month. Check out our flexible scheduling and tailored Spanish programs to learn more! 

certified teachers
free Spanish class button

Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these

Cindy D, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Erica P. Parent of 1

- Maple, Parent of 3

“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. I have appreciated the one on one interaction and teaching that my son gets from his teachers. He has gotten to know his teachers, which has increased his confidence in speaking Spanish. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”

– Maple, Parent of 3

- Karie Ann, Parent of 3

“I love that my children have the opportunity to speak with a live person. They get to practice Spanish in a 1-1 setting while improve their speaking, writing and reading skills during their lessons. HSA is a great way to learn Spanish for all ages! My children are 6, 9 and 11. My oldest two (9 and 11) have been taking classes with HSA for almost 2 years now. They love seeing their teacher each week. They understand the importance of learning several languages. I’ve seen them grow and learn with HSA. I’m excited to see how they will improve the more classes they take. I highly recommend them. You can’t bet learning and speaking with a live teacher. I’ve tried other programs. It’s just not as motivating.”

– Karie Ann, Parent of 3

Ready to learn more Spanish vocabulary? Check these out!

  • 55 False Cognates in Spanish That Will Kill Your Conversation
  • Qué Tal vs Cómo Estás: What’s the Difference?
  • 50 Simple Spanish Questions To Ask in a Conversation (and How To Answer)
  • Pets in Spanish: Complete Vocabulary Lesson for Beginners
  • 10 Original and Lovely Mexican Terms of Endearment
  • Top 15 New Year’s Resolutions in Spanish
  • 100+ Basic Spanish Words and Phrases for Travelers
  • 29 Cool and Catchy Spanish Phrases To Use With Friends [+Audio]
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Follow me
Luis F. Dominguez
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
Luis F. Domínguez is a freelance writer and independent journalist interested in travel, languages, art, books, history, philosophy, politics and sports. He has written for Fodor’s, Yahoo!, Sports Illustrated, Telemundo, and Villa Experience, among other brands of print and digital media in Europe and North America.
Follow me
Latest posts by Luis F. Dominguez (see all)
  • 55 False Cognates in Spanish That Will Kill Your Conversation - January 31, 2023
  • Hacer Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF - January 30, 2023
  • Qué Tal vs Cómo Estás: What’s the Difference? - January 29, 2023
apologise in spanish Spanish for beginners spanish vocabulary
0

Related Posts

mission trip Spanish

45+ Mission Trip Spanish Phrases You Need To Know

December 23, 2021
Read More
Spanish quotes

44 Essential Spanish Quotes and Proverbs to Fuel Your Motivation

October 21, 2021
Read More
Spanish body parts

Spanish Body Parts: Vocabulary, Idioms, and Culture

January 4, 2022
Read More
Spanish greetings

Spanish 101: Greetings and Farewells

May 2, 2022
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

50 Spanish Riddles for Learners of Every Level [+ FREE PDF]Previous Post
Is Mexico Part of North or Central America?Next Post

About Us

With over 10 years of experience, HSA is where your goals merge with our teachers’ passion: to improve your Spanish fluency. Custom-tailored to fit your needs, you choose your program, schedule, favorite teachers, pace of learning, and more.. Learn More

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • 55 False Cognates in Spanish That Will Kill Your Conversation
    55 False Cognates in Spanish That Will Kill Your Conversation
    January 31, 2023
    Ever heard of "false friends"? And I don’t...
  • Hacer Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
    Hacer Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
    January 30, 2023
    Some people say that the key to learning...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact Us© 2022 HSA. All rights reserved.