disculpe las molestias
/diskulpe las molestjas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "sorry for the inconvenience" is expressed as disculpe las molestias.
disculpe las molestias is a polite expression used to apologize for problems or trouble caused to someone. You will commonly see this phrase on signs in public spaces, such as in closed shops or near construction zones, to apologize for disruptions.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "excuse the inconveniences".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are speaking to a group of people, use the plural form disculpen las molestias.
How does it change in a sentence?
The choice of verb determines the level of familiarity and the number of people being addressed. Using disculpa instead of disculpe makes the apology informal, typically used with friends or peers. Using disculpen is the plural form used when apologizing to a group.
Did you know?
- The word molestias can sometimes sound more aggressive to English speakers than it does to Spanish speakers. In Spanish, it simply means 'annoyances' or 'troubles', but it does not carry the same weight as the English verb 'to molest'.
- In formal business emails, disculpe las molestias is often replaced by the more elaborate le rogamos disculpe las molestias, which means 'we beg you to excuse the inconveniences'.
- The word disculpe comes from the Latin 'disculpare', which originally meant 'to clear from blame' or 'to wipe away'.
Examples in context
- Disculpe las molestias.Sorry for the inconvenience.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase disculpe las molestias.Tatoeba #5108010 by ecorralest101, translation #1536257 by wallebot
- Lamentamos el inconveniente.We apologize for the inconvenience.
- Le pido disculpas por las molestias ocasionadas.I apologize for the inconvenience caused.
- Perdón por las molestias que haya podido ocasionar.Sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused.
- Perdón por la molestia.Sorry for the bother.
- Disculpa por el inconveniente.Apologies for the inconvenience.
- Disculpe las molestias por el retraso.Sorry for the inconvenience caused by the delay.
- Disculpe las molestias, la calle está cerrada.Sorry for the inconvenience, the street is closed.
Example conversation
A customer approaches a clerk at a closed service counter.
- María¿Por qué está cerrado hoy?Why is it closed today?
- MateoEstamos reparando el sistema, disculpe las molestias.We are repairing the system, sorry for the inconvenience.
- MaríaEstá bien, gracias por avisarme.That's fine, thanks for letting me know.
- MateoGracias por su paciencia.Thank you for your patience.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries las, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
