Perdón
everyday
The everyday way to say sorry is Perdón. Among friends many young speakers say Mi mal or Mala mía, which work like "my bad".
Meaning: apology (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Perdón | everyday |
| Mi mal | casual, slang |
| Mala mía | casual, slang |
Perdón fits strangers and friends alike. Mi mal and Mala mía are for small slips, like bumping into someone or being late by a minute.
Which one should you use?
For a real apology about something serious, use Lo siento mucho or Te pido disculpas and not the slangy forms.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Mi mal is heard a lot among young Mexicans, and mala mía is common in several Latin American countries.
Did you know?
- Perdón can also mean "excuse me" when you want to pass someone in a crowded place.
Examples in context
- Perdón, no te vi.Sorry, I did not see you.
- Uy, mi mal, se me olvidó.Oops, my bad, I forgot.
- Mala mía, llegué tarde.My bad, I came late.
Example conversation
Sofía and Andrés meet at a cafe in Mexico City.
- AndrésLlegué tarde, mi mal.I came late, my bad.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, apenas llegué.Do not worry, I just got here.
- AndrésGracias. Pido yo el café.Thanks. The coffee is on me.
