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"I'm sorry" is a phrase which is often translated as "perdón", and "my Spanish is very bad" is a phrase which is often translated as "hablo muy mal español". Learn more about the difference between "I'm sorry" and "my Spanish is very bad" below.

I'm sorry(

aym

saw

)

A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).

phrase

1. (used to apologize)

a. perdón

I stepped on your foot! I'm sorry!¡Te pisé! ¡Perdón!

b. disculpa

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

I'm sorry I am running late.Disculpa la demora.

c. perdona

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

I stained your carpet! I'm sorry!¡Manché tu alfombra! ¡Perdona!

d. discúlpame

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

I'm sorry if I offended you.Discúlpame si te ofendí.

e. perdóname

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

I didn't realize this was your seat. I'm sorry.No me di cuenta de que este era tu asiento. Perdóname.

f. disculpe

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).

(formal)

I didn't know you were in the room. I'm sorry.No sabía que usted estaba en la habitación. Disculpe.

g. perdone

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).

(formal)

I'm afraid that pen is mine, ma'am. - I'm sorry!Me parece que esa pluma es mía, señora. - ¡Perdone!

2. (used to offer sympathy)

a. lo siento

I couldn't come to class because my uncle died. - I'm very sorry.No pude venir a clase porque murió mi tío. - Lo siento mucho.

This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.

no direct translation

I'm sorry for your loss.Mi más sentido pésame.

I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I hope he gets better soon.Siento lo de tu padre. Espero que se recupere pronto.

3. (used to ask for something to be repeated)

a. perdón

I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you because of the noise.Perdón, no lo oí por el ruido.

b. cómo

I'm tired. - I'm sorry? - I said I'm tired.Estoy cansado. - ¿Cómo? - Dije que estoy cansado.

c. perdone

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).

(formal)

I'm sorry, what were you saying?Perdone, ¿qué decía?

d. mande

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).

(formal)

I think I lost my keys. - I'm sorry? What monkeys? - I said "keys!"Me parece que perdí las llaves. - ¿Mande? ¿Qué claves? - ¡Dije "llaves"!

4. (used to get someone's attention)

a. perdón

I'm sorry, is this Castro street?Perdón, ¿esta es la calle Castro?

b. disculpa

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

I'm sorry, do you know where the station is?Disculpa, ¿sabes dónde queda la estación?

c. disculpe

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).

(formal)

I'm sorry, do you know when the bank opens?Disculpe, ¿sabe a qué hora abre el banco?

5. (used to express regret)

a. lamento que

I'm sorry I won't be able to be there.Lamento que no podré asistir.

6. (used to express disagreement)

a. un momento

This band sucks. - I'm sorry? I love them!Esta banda es una porquería. - ¡Un momento! ¡A mí me encantan!

b. qué dices

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).

(informal)

Today's chemistry class was awesome. - I'm sorry? Nobody understood anything!La clase de química de hoy estuvo genial. - ¿Qué dices? ¡No se entendió nada!

c. qué dice

A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).

(formal)

Everyone will have to work over the weekend. - I'm sorry?Todos tendrán que trabajar el fin de semana. - ¿Qué dice?

my Spanish is very bad(

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