What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally "I excuse myself", which is formed using the reflexive pronoun me and the verb disculpar.
Which one should you use?
While me disculpo is a formal way to say "I apologize", the phrase lo siento (I am sorry) is a more common and general way to express sorrow for both mistakes and sympathy. For a more polite expression, you can also use Le pido disculpas, which translates to "I ask for your forgiveness/apologies" or Lamento mucho, which conveys deep regret.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Me disculpo is a formal expression suitable for professional or serious settings. In everyday conversation, it is more common to use the informal perdón or the general lo siento.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal perdona is commonly used to apologize, while pido disculpas serves as a more formal alternative. In Mexico, Perdóneme is a formal phrase used for apologizing. In Argentina, the phrase te pido perdón is commonly used for informal apologies.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to apologize for a specific action or reason, use the preposition por after the phrase (e.g., me disculpo por…).
Did you know?
- In some contexts, lo siento is used to express condolences at a funeral, but using me disculpo in that situation would be a mistake as it implies you caused the death.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the verb disculpar is often used not as an apology for a mistake, but as a polite way to get a stranger's attention or move past someone in a crowd.
- The word disculpar is built from the prefix 'dis-' and the root 'culpa', which means 'guilt' or 'fault'.
Examples in context
- Me disculpo por esto.I apologize for this.This sentence is useful for apologizing for a specific thing using me disculpo.Tatoeba #7283091 by UsuarioX, translation #1560329 by Grim_fandango
- Me disculpo ante todos ustedes.I apologize in front of all of you.This sentence is useful for apologizing in front of a group using me disculpo.Tatoeba #12367315 by Shishir, translation #12367322 by DJ_Saidez
- Me disculpo por cualquier problema que haya ocasionado.I apologize for any problems that I may have caused.This sentence is useful for apologizing for any problems caused using me disculpo.Tatoeba #7946622 by arh, translation #7935160 by CK
- Me disculpo por cualquier inconveniente ocasionadoI apologize for any inconvenience caused
- Le pido disculpas por el retrasoI apologize for the delay
- Lamento mucho el error cometidoI deeply apologize for the mistake
- Perdón por el ruidoSorry for the noise
- Disculpa por la tardanzaSorry for the delay
- Lo siento mucho por arruinar tu fiestaI'm really sorry for ruining your party
- Me disculpo por el error cometidoI apologize for the mistake made
- Le pido disculpas por el malentendidoI ask for your forgiveness for the misunderstanding
- Perdón por olvidar tu cumpleañosSorry for forgetting your birthday
- Disculpa por no poder ayudarteSorry for not being able to help you
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier arrives late to a business meeting with María.
- JavierHola, María. Me disculpo por llegar tarde.Hello, María. I apologize for arriving late.
- MaríaNo te preocupes, Javier. Acabamos de empezar.Don't worry, Javier. We just started.
- JavierGracias. Me disculpo nuevamente por la demora.Thank you. I apologize again for the delay.
- MaríaEstá bien, toma asiento por favor.It's okay, please take a seat.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
