Disculpe
/diskulpe/from spelling rules
The English phrase excuse me is translated into Spanish as Disculpe.
Disculpe is used to get someone's attention politely or to apologize for a minor intrusion when addressing a single person. While it serves as a polite way to interrupt, it is not used for deep apologies or expressing sympathy, which requires different expressions.
Meaning: sorry, as apology (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use Disculpe to get someone's attention or apologize for a minor intrusion.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and other parts of Latin America, people may say ¡Permiso! to ask for passage or to get someone's attention. In Mexico and Central America, note that the phrase ¿Mande? is not generally used to grab someone's attention in a public setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
Disculpe is the formal form of the phrase. The informal version used with peers is Disculpa.
How do you pronounce it?
/diskulpe/
When do people say it?
When you need to ask for passage or request someone's attention in a formal setting, you can also use the phrase con permiso, which translates to 'with your permission'.
Did you know?
- The verb disculpar is related to the English word 'exculpate', which means to clear someone from accusation or blame.
- If you use the formal Disculpe with a child or a very close friend, you might accidentally create a sense of social distance. It is a way of using language to signal that you are keeping a respectful, formal boundary.
- While Disculpe is for apologies, the phrase Perdón is often used as a quick 'excuse me' when you accidentally bump into someone in a crowd.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿cómo se llama?Excuse me. What's your name?This sentence shows how to use Disculpe to ask for someone's name.Tatoeba #2343178 by Shishir, translation #933745 by CK
- Disculpe, tengo una pregunta.Excuse me, I have a question.This sentence demonstrates using Disculpe to introduce a question.Tatoeba #1502847 by wallebot, translation #1445889 by johnd
- Disculpe, ¿dónde está el café?Excuse me, where is the café?This sentence illustrates using Disculpe to ask for the location of a café.Tatoeba #1399960 by marcelostockle, translation #403093 by Ramses
- Disculpe, ¿podría ayudarme con una pregunta?Excuse me, could you help me with a question?
- Perdón, ¿me podría decir dónde está la estación de tren?Excuse me, could you tell me where the train station is?
- Con permiso, necesito pasar para llegar al baño.Excuse me, I need to pass to get to the restroom.
- Perdona, ¿tienes un momento? Quería preguntarte algo.Excuse me, do you have a moment? I wanted to ask you something.
- Disculpa, ¿me prestas tu pluma?Excuse me, can you lend me your pen?
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena accidentally bumps into Daniel in a hallway.
- ElenaDisculpe, no lo vi.Excuse me, I didn't see you.
- DanielNo se preocupe, está bien.Don't worry, it's okay.
- ElenaDisculpe nuevamente por el golpe.Excuse me again for the bump.
- DanielNo pasa nada, Elena.It's nothing, Elena.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
