How can we say "I'm sorry" apart from "lo siento"?

Question

So far the only way I know to say "I'm sorry" is "lo siento." However, this gets repetitive rather quickly, and sometimes I'm looking for a stronger form of an apology. What other ways are there to apologize in spanish? If you are apologizing for an extremely terrible thing you've done, would you use a different phrase? How do native speakers apologize or convey regret for things they've done?

You can also say "lo siento" + something big, like "muchísimo". — fedorqui, Apr 16 '14 at 08:55
"Lo siento" implica mas bien el sentido de empatia que el arrepentimiento. — Paul, May 05 '14 at 18:39
I made a YouTube video that explains how to apologize in Spanish. It explains which context is appropriate for different apologies like when to use lo siento or perdón. Hope this helps! https://youtu.be/mneRXgho_FQ — Sarah, Dec 12 '19 at 21:34

Alfredo Osorio · Answer 1 · 2012-01-25T01:43:05.530

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Well at least in Mexico is not common to say "lo siento" instead we say "perdón" for apologizing. The only part that I've heard "lo siento" is in movies or telenovelas.

A stronger version of "perdón" is "perdóname" or "discúlpame". You can add "por favor" at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.

Here some examples:

Perdóname por haberte mentido.

Por favor perdóname.

Perdón por no haber hecho caso.

Perdón.

Discúlpame por favor.

edited Jan 25 '12 at 01:43

answered Jan 25 '12 at 00:26

Alfredo Osorio

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All of these sound ok in Argentina. But also "lo siento (mucho)" – leonbloy Jan 25 '12 at 14:42
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It works the same way in Spain – pablomatico Apr 10 '14 at 09:54
I think we use "lo siento" when we really make a mess, and "perdon" in every other I'm sorry moment – Poncho Apr 10 '14 at 15:37
As a good spanish, you must learn to say it in the way you don't say it.. xD, "la he cagado", is really colloquial, and if you put sad face, can be understood like that :P, and you don't have to say "sorry". – Jose Palma Apr 14 '15 at 10:15

score 7 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 17 '20 at 09:53

'Sentir', 'perdonar', 'disculpar', and even 'dispensar' are all used depending on the reason for your apology:

Lo sentimos, este teléfono ha sido desconectado.

Lo sentimos, la lluvia ha arruinado el paseo.

You're just being polite, it is not really your fault and beyond your control.

Discúlpame por haber llegado un poco tarde.

Estamos remodelando, disculpe las molestias.

Disculpe, ¿sabe a qué hora empieza la fiesta?

This is the equivalent of 'excuse me'. You are responsible for the action, but it is a small or easily-justifiable matter.

Perdóname por no haber ido a nuestra cita.

*Perdón por pisarte la mano

You are responsible for the action, and it is a big deal.

Other words to keep in mind:

'Dispensar' is used by old people in Mexico, it is the equivalent of 'disculpar' and it is disappearing but will remain in written works.

'Con permiso' is the active and physical version of 'excuse me'. It always involves physical movement, like when leaving/entering a room or reaching in front of someone to grab something.

'Pesar' is used when something weighs heavily on you and is much deeper:

Me pesa mucho no haberte creído.

Last but not least, 'dar el pésame' is what you would say to someone who has lost someone:

Mi más sentido pésame por la pérdida de tu papá.

Very similar in Spain, but here we also use Lo siento when the action is our fault, apart from the use you have explain. ¡Lo siento! no sabía que estabas detrás de la puerta. ¿Te he hecho daño?. If you really regret what you have done you can also add perdona or perdónameat the end: ¡Lo siento! no sabía que estabas detrás de la puerta. ¿Te he hecho daño? Perdona — itziki, Apr 10 '14 at 08:01

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 25 '12 at 14:44

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In Argentina, we just emphasize "Lo siento" (or "lo lamento")

Lo siento mucho

Lo siento muchísimo

Alfredo's alternatives are also ok.

answered Jan 25 '12 at 14:44

leonbloy

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+1 for lo lamento – dockeryZ Apr 10 '15 at 15:23

score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 15 '14 at 11:34

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Other alternative, stronger than just "lo siento":

lo lamento / lo lamento mucho / lo lamento muchsísimo

It's also more formal than "lo siento"

answered Apr 15 '14 at 11:34

Bardo

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I would add that 'lamentarse' is not only stronger but also more formal. – Nico May 04 '14 at 06:50

score 2 · Answer 5 · edited Jun 17 '20 at 09:53

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Yet even another more formal way could be:

Te pido disculpas.

Te pido perdón.

edited Jun 17 '20 at 09:53

Community

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answered Apr 15 '14 at 19:32

PbxMan

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score 1 · Answer 6 · edited Apr 15 '17 at 14:44

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You could say:

Lo siento mucho
Siento
Lamento
Mi más sentido pésame

Though, I'm sorry has different meanings depend on the context that you use, it can also be used to ask someone repeat something, to express condolences, to object, or to get someone's attention. And in different context, you would use different expressions to say "I'm sorry".

edited Apr 15 '17 at 14:44

fedorqui

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answered Apr 13 '17 at 02:51

Kayla Webb

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Hello Kayla and welcome to [spanish.se]. Instead of posting links to other pages -which is likely to have your posts marked as spam-, select the relevant parts of those pages and quote them in here. Check [answer] and [tour] to get a full view of how we like answers in here. – fedorqui Apr 15 '17 at 14:43

score 0 · Answer 7 · edited Jun 17 '20 at 09:53

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From my experience, you could say

Perdón

Lo lamento

Perdón is more used if you accidentally hurt or bump into a person. If you want you can add muchísimo to make it sound like you mean it from your bottom of your heart.

edited Jun 17 '20 at 09:53

Community

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answered Apr 09 '15 at 19:54

Tia27

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How can we say "I'm sorry" apart from "lo siento"?

7 Answers7