dispensa
The Chamorro word for sorry is dispensa.
You use dispensa to express regret or to ask for forgiveness for a mistake or an inconvenience.
Meaning: expression of regret or sorrow (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word dispensa is derived from the Spanish word 'dispensa', meaning pardon or excuse.
Did you know?
- The phrase dispensa acts as a social tool for navigating physical space, such as when squeezing past a stranger in a crowd.
- While English speakers use 'sorry' to express sympathy for a tragedy, using dispensa in this way can feel socially misplaced in Chamorro.
- In the Mariana Islands, the weight of an apology often depends on your facial expression and body language rather than just the word dispensa itself.
Example conversation
Theresa accidentally bumps into Jose in a hallway.
- TheresaDispensa, Jose!Sorry, Jose!
- JoseHåga' tågu, Theresa.It is okay, Theresa.
- TheresaDispensa, håga' tågu.Sorry, I was rushing.
- JoseSiesta yan.No worries.
