What is the difference between disculpa and perdón?

Both can mean 'excuse me' or 'sorry,' but perdón tends to carry more weight as a genuine apology, while disculpa is lighter and more commonly used for getting attention or minor interruptions. You can say disculpa to ask someone to repeat something, but perdón if you accidentally step on their foot.

How do you say 'excuse me' formally in Spanish?

Use disculpe (the usted conjugation of disculpar). This is appropriate when speaking to strangers, elders, or in professional situations. For example: Disculpe, ¿tiene hora? — Excuse me, do you have the time?

Is excusa always negative in Spanish?

Not always, but it often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the reason given may not be entirely honest. Saying No me vengas con excusas (Don't come to me with excuses) suggests the listener finds the justification unconvincing. For a neutral reason, consider using motivo or razón instead.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Excuse in Spanish: Disculpa, Excusa, and More

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Disculpa · noun (feminine) and verb · dees-KOOL-pah

The word 'excuse' has multiple translations in Spanish. Use disculpa (or disculpe for formal) to say 'excuse me,' and excusa for an excuse in the sense of a justification or pretext.

dees-KOOL-pah (disculpa) / eks-KOO-sah (excusa)

Disculpa, ¿me podrías indicar dónde está la estación?

Excuse me, could you tell me where the station is?

Excuse in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for excuse, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
disculpa	excuse	dees-KOOL-pah	Default, widely understood
excusa	excuse		noun — excuse / pretext
disculpar	excuse		verb — to excuse / to forgive
excusar	excuse		verb — to excuse / to exempt

How Native Speakers Use Disculpa

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Getting attention politely

Disculpe, señor, se le cayó la billetera.

Excuse me, sir, you dropped your wallet.

Using the formal form to politely address a stranger.

Making an excuse

Siempre tiene una excusa para no ir al gimnasio.

He always has an excuse for not going to the gym.

Referring to a pretext or justification.

Apologizing

Discúlpame por llegar tarde; había mucho tráfico.

Excuse me for arriving late; there was a lot of traffic.

Asking for forgiveness after a minor fault.

Passing through a crowd

Disculpa, ¿me dejas pasar?

Excuse me, can you let me through?

Navigating through a group of people.

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Disculpa

Using excusa when you mean 'excuse me'

Incorrect: Excusa, ¿dónde está el baño?

Correct: Disculpa, ¿dónde está el baño?

Excusa is a noun meaning a justification or pretext. To say 'excuse me' to get someone's attention or apologize, use disculpa (informal) or disculpe (formal).

Confusing formality levels

Incorrect: Disculpa, profesor, tengo una pregunta. (overly casual)

Correct: Disculpe, profesor, tengo una pregunta.

When addressing authority figures, older people, or strangers in formal situations, use the usted form disculpe rather than the tú form disculpa.

Lock in Excuse 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 Disculpa, ¿me podrías indicar dónde está la estación? 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 Excuse in Spanish

What is the difference between disculpa and perdón?: Both can mean 'excuse me' or 'sorry,' but perdón tends to carry more weight as a genuine apology, while disculpa is lighter and more commonly used for getting attention or minor interruptions. You can say disculpa to ask someone to repeat something, but perdón if you accidentally step on their foot.
How do you say 'excuse me' formally in Spanish?: Use disculpe (the usted conjugation of disculpar). This is appropriate when speaking to strangers, elders, or in professional situations. For example: Disculpe, ¿tiene hora? — Excuse me, do you have the time?
Is excusa always negative in Spanish?: Not always, but it often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the reason given may not be entirely honest. Saying No me vengas con excusas (Don't come to me with excuses) suggests the listener finds the justification unconvincing. For a neutral reason, consider using motivo or razón instead.