disculpe
/diskulpe/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "excuse me" is disculpe.
Disculpe can be used when seeking assistance or interrupting someone politely.
Meaning: sorry, as apology (noun)
Which one should you use?
While disculpe is used to get attention, perdón is more commonly used as a quick apology for a physical bump or a mistake. Con permiso. literally translates to "with permission" and is used to politely ask for someone's permission to pass by or get through a crowded area.
How do you pronounce it?
/diskulpe/
Did you know?
- The word disculpar is a cognate of the English 'exculpate', meaning to clear someone from accusation or blame.
- While disculpe is polite, the word disculpa is the informal version used with friends or people your age. Using the formal disculpe with a child or a close friend might actually make you sound cold or distant.
- In Mexico, people may use con permiso not just to pass through a crowd, but as a polite way to leave a table or a room.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿cómo se llama?Excuse me. What's your name?This sentence is useful for asking someone's name using disculpe.Tatoeba #2343178 by Shishir, translation #933745 by CK
- Disculpe, tengo una pregunta.Excuse me, I have a question.This sentence is useful for stating you have a question using disculpe.Tatoeba #1502847 by wallebot, translation #1445889 by johnd
- Disculpe, ¿dónde está el café?Excuse me, where is the café?This sentence is useful for asking the location of a café using disculpe.Tatoeba #1399960 by marcelostockle, translation #403093 by Ramses
- Disculpe, ¿sabe dónde está la estación de tren?Excuse me, do you know where the train station is?
- Perdona, ¿puedo unirme?Excuse me, can I join?
- Perdone, ¿podría traernos la carta, por favor?Excuse me, could you bring us the menu, please?
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro accidentally bumps into Sofía in a busy hallway.
- AlejandroDisculpe, no la vi.Excuse me, I did not see you.
- SofíaNo hay problema.No problem.
- AlejandroLo siento mucho.I am very sorry.
- SofíaEstá bien, Alejandro.It is fine, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
