Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Apology in Spanish: Disculpa
Disculpa · noun · dees-KOOL-pah
The Spanish noun 'disculpa' translates to 'apology,' representing an expression of regret for a mistake or wrongdoing. It can also function as the informal imperative of 'disculpar' (excuse me). For deeper, more personal apologies, Spanish speakers often prefer 'perdón,' which carries greater emotional weight.
dees-KOOL-pah
Le ofreció una disculpa sincera por haber llegado tarde a la cita.
He offered her a sincere apology for arriving late to the appointment.
Apology in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for apology, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| disculpa | apology | dees-KOOL-pah | Default, widely understood |
| perdón | apology | more personal or heartfelt apology | |
| excusa | apology | excuse or justification |
How Native Speakers Use Disculpa
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Formal apology
La empresa publicó una disculpa oficial en su página web tras el error en la facturación.
The company published an official apology on its website after the billing error.
Disculpa oficial is the standard term for a corporate or public apology.
Personal regret
Te pido perdón de corazón por las palabras que dije anoche durante la discusión.
I sincerely ask for your forgiveness for the words I said last night during the argument.
Pedir perdón is more emotional and intimate than ofrecer disculpas.
Casual excuse me
Disculpa, ¿me podrías indicar dónde queda la estación de tren más cercana?
Excuse me, could you tell me where the nearest train station is?
Disculpa as an interjection is a polite way to get someone's attention.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Disculpa
False friend
Incorrect: Necesito dar una apología por mi comportamiento.
Correct: Necesito dar una disculpa por mi comportamiento.
Apología in Spanish means a defense or vindication of something, not an expression of regret; it is a well-known false cognate.
Plural confusion
Incorrect: Acepta mis disculpa por el malentendido.
Correct: Acepta mis disculpas por el malentendido.
When preceded by the possessive 'mis' (my), the noun takes the plural form disculpas; the singular would require an article like 'mi disculpa.'
Lock in Apology Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Disculpa used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using disculpa in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Le ofreció una disculpa sincera por haber llegado tarde a la cita. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Apology in Spanish
- Is apología a false cognate in Spanish?
- Apología is one of the most notable false friends between English and Spanish, as it means a defense or justification rather than an expression of remorse. Using it to mean 'apology' could create serious misunderstandings, especially in legal or formal settings.
- When should I use disculpa vs. perdón?
- Disculpa works well for minor social infractions like arriving late or bumping into someone, while perdón is reserved for more serious transgressions that require genuine remorse. Think of disculpa as 'excuse me' territory and perdón as 'I'm truly sorry' territory.
- How do you say 'I owe you an apology' in Spanish?
- The most natural phrasing is 'te debo una disculpa,' which literally mirrors the English construction. This expression is commonly used in both casual and formal speech to acknowledge a wrongdoing before elaborating on what happened.