Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
I Am Sorry in Spanish: Lo Siento, Perdón, and Disculpa
Lo Siento · phrase · loh SYEHN-toh
'I am sorry' in Spanish is lo siento (loh SYEHN-toh), literally 'I feel it.' It's the standard heartfelt apology. Perdón is lighter—like saying pardon or sorry. Disculpa means excuse me. Lo lamento is a formal, literary apology.
Lo siento is loh SYEHN-toh, three syllables in siento with stress on SYEHN.
Lo siento mucho, no quise ofenderte.
I'm very sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.
I Am Sorry in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for i am sorry, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| lo siento | i am sorry | loh SYEHN-toh | Default, widely understood |
| perdón | i am sorry | pardon, sorry (lighter) | |
| disculpa | i am sorry | excuse me, sorry (informal) | |
| perdóname | i am sorry | forgive me | |
| lo lamento | i am sorry | I regret it (formal/literary) |
How Native Speakers Use Lo Siento
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Heartfelt apology
Lo siento mucho por lo que pasó ayer.
I'm very sorry about what happened yesterday.
Lo siento mucho adds emphasis for a deep apology.
Lighter apology
Perdón por llegar tarde.
Sorry for arriving late.
Perdón works for minor offenses.
Excuse me
Disculpa, ¿puedes repetir eso?
Sorry, can you repeat that?
Disculpa is for getting someone's attention or a small interruption.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Lo Siento
Saying soy sorry
Incorrect: Soy sorry. or Estoy sorry.
Correct: Lo siento.
There's no Spanglish shortcut. Lo siento is the full phrase—don't mix languages.
Using lo siento for bumping into someone
Incorrect: Lo siento. (bumping someone in the street)
Correct: Perdón. or Disculpa.
Lo siento implies deep emotional regret. For a bump or minor mishap, perdón or disculpa is more natural.
Lock in I Am Sorry 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 Lo Siento used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using lo siento in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Lo siento mucho, no quise ofenderte. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About I Am Sorry in Spanish
- How do you say I am sorry in Spanish?
- Lo siento (loh SYEHN-toh) for a sincere apology, perdón for a lighter sorry, and disculpa for excuse me.
- What does lo siento literally mean?
- Lo siento literally means 'I feel it'—expressing that you share the pain or regret of what happened. Sentir means to feel.
- When should I use perdón vs. disculpa?
- Perdón is for minor offenses or as a general sorry. Disculpa is for interruptions or getting attention, like excuse me. Both are lighter than lo siento.