perdón
everyday
In Colombia the usual way to say sorry is perdón. With a stranger or an older person, disculpe is more polite, and lo siento is for a real apology or for bad news.
Meaning: apology (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| perdón | everyday |
| Disculpe | polite, usted |
| Lo siento | sincere |
You also say perdón to get past someone in a crowd or in a bus. Con permiso is the polite phrase for squeezing by, and it is very common in Colombia.
Which one should you use?
Lo siento carries more weight. It is what you say at a funeral or for a serious mistake, not for bumping someone's elbow.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Colombians use usted widely, even among family in some regions, so disculpe and perdóneme are normal with elders and in shops. With friends perdón or disculpa is enough.
Did you know?
- Colombians often say mijo or mija, a short form of mi hijo or mi hija, even to people who are not their children.
Examples in context
- Perdón, no lo vi.Sorry, I did not see you.
- Disculpe, señora, ¿me permite pasar?Excuse me, ma'am, may I get past?
- Lo siento mucho por tu pérdida.I am very sorry for your loss.
Example conversation
Andrés bumps into Doña Marta at a market in Bogotá.
- AndrésPerdón, señora. ¿Está bien?Sorry, ma'am. Are you all right?
- Doña MartaSí, mijo, no pasó nada.Yes, my son, nothing happened.
- AndrésDisculpe, venía distraído.Excuse me, I was not paying attention.
