disculpe
/diskulpe/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'pardon me' is translated into Spanish as disculpe.
Disculpe is used to get someone's attention or apologize for a minor intrusion. It is important to distinguish this from lo siento, which is used to express deeper regret or sympathy.
Meaning: sorry, as an apology (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
Disculpe is a form of the verb disculpar, which means 'to excuse' or 'to pardon'.
Which one should you use?
If you are addressing a group of people, use disculpen instead of disculpe.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes depending on who you are addressing. Use disculpe for a single person in a formal setting, disculpa or perdona for a single person informally and disculpen for a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
/diskulpe/
Did you know?
- While 'disculpe' is for getting attention, the word 'permiso' is often used instead if you are physically passing between people in a crowded space.
- If you use the informal disculpa with an elder in many Latin American countries, you may be perceived as having poor upbringing or 'educación'.
- The word 'disculpe' is not just an apology, it can also function as a way to ask someone to repeat what they said if you did not hear them.
Examples in context
- Disculpe, ¿ese asiento está ocupado?Pardon me, is that seat taken?This example shows how to use disculpe to ask if a seat is taken.Tatoeba #1914538 by marcelostockle, translation #453419 by saasmath
- Disculpe, ¿qué pasó con nuestra orden?Pardon me, what happened with our order?This example shows how to use disculpe when asking about an order.Tatoeba #3939152 by cueyayotl, translation #3941130 by Alex93
- Disculpe, ¿podría explicarme el significado de esta frase?Pardon me, would you explain to me the importance of this phrase?This example shows how to use disculpe to request an explanation of a phrase.Tatoeba #940461 by hayastan, translation #796111 by awynands
- Disculpe, ¿podría decirme dónde está la estación de tren?Excuse me, could you tell me where the train station is?
- Perdón, no vi que estabas detrás de míPardon me, I didn't see you were behind me
- Perdona, ¿puedo pasar?Sorry, may I pass by?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena accidentally bumps into Alejandro in a crowded store.
- ElenaDisculpe, no lo vi.Pardon me, I didn't see you.
- AlejandroNo se preocupe, no pasa nada.Don't worry, it's nothing.
- ElenaDisculpe nuevamente por el golpe.Pardon me again for the bump.
- AlejandroEstá bien, Elena. No hay problema.It's okay, Elena. 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.
