Disculpe
/diskulpe/from spelling rules
Disculpe is the Spanish way to say excuse me.
Disculpe is used to get someone's attention or to apologize for a slight intrusion. It is a formal way to initiate contact with someone.
Meaning: sorry, as apology (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Disculpe is the imperative (command) form of the verb disculpar (to excuse) in the formal usted person, literally meaning excuse (him/her/you formal).
Which one should you use?
While Disculpe is used to initiate contact or apologize for an intrusion, Perdón is often used for minor interruptions or to ask someone to repeat themselves. To politely ask someone to move aside or let you pass, you can use Con permiso (with permission) instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person, use the plural form Disculpen. Use Disculpa instead of Disculpe when the social context is informal.
How do you pronounce it?
/diskulpe/
Did you know?
- The imperative form of Disculpe functions as a command, yet it is used as a polite request. In Spanish, commanding someone to 'excuse' you is the standard way to show high respect.
- The phrase Con permiso is not just a way to say 'excuse me' while passing, but it is also a standard way to announce you are leaving a dinner table or exiting a room in a polite social setting.
- In highly formal settings, like a court or a diplomatic meeting, Disculpe might be replaced by the even more distant Le ruego me disculpe, which means 'I beg you to excuse me'.
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 shows how to use 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 shows how to use Disculpe to ask for the location of a place.Tatoeba #1399960 by marcelostockle, translation #403093 by Ramses
- Con permiso, ¿puedo pasar?Excuse me, may I pass?
- Disculpa, ¿puedo pasar?Excuse me, can I pass?
- Permiso, ¿me haces un espacio?Excuse me, can you make some room for me?
- Oye, ¿me dejas pasar?Hey, can I pass?
- Con permiso, necesito pasar.Excuse me, I need to pass.
- Disculpe, ¿puedo pasar adelante?Excuse me, may I pass in front?
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro accidentally bumps into Sofia in a crowded hallway.
- SofíaDisculpe, no vi que estaba ahí.Excuse me, I didn't see you were there.
- AlejandroNo se preocupe, no pasa nada.Don't worry, it's nothing.
- SofíaDisculpe nuevamente por el empujón.Excuse me again for the bump.
- AlejandroEstá bien, Alejandro no tiene problema.It's okay, Alejandro has no problem.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
