Bedeutung
To express regret for an offense or mistake.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Spain, people tend to be more direct. While 'pedir disculpas' is used, you will often hear a very sincere 'Lo siento mucho' or 'Perdona' even in professional settings if the relationship is established. Mexican culture places a high value on 'formalidad' and 'cortesía'. Using 'Le pido una disculpa' (often with the indefinite article 'una') is extremely common to show respect and avoid appearing rude. Argentines use 'voseo'. Instead of 'pídeme disculpas', they say 'pedime disculpas'. The tone can be very passionate, and apologies are often followed by long explanations (descargos). In Colombia, especially in Bogotá, the speech is very formal. You might hear 'Qué pena con usted' as a synonym for 'pido disculpas'. It's a very soft, polite way to apologize for minor things.
The 'Le' Secret
Always use 'Le pido disculpas' in emails to people you don't know. It's the safest, most professional bet.
Don't say 'Hacer'
Never say 'hacer una disculpa'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating from English.
Bedeutung
To express regret for an offense or mistake.
The 'Le' Secret
Always use 'Le pido disculpas' in emails to people you don't know. It's the safest, most professional bet.
Don't say 'Hacer'
Never say 'hacer una disculpa'. It's a dead giveaway that you are translating from English.
The Mexican 'Una'
In Mexico, adding 'una' (Pido una disculpa) makes the apology sound even more polite and humble.
Body Language
When saying this in person, a slight nod of the head adds to the sincerity of the phrase.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'pedir'.
Yo ___ disculpas por mi comportamiento de ayer.
The verb 'pedir' is irregular (e->i) in the first person present tense.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal email to a boss?
You missed a deadline and want to apologize.
This option uses the formal 'Le', the correct plural 'disculpas', and the correct preposition 'por'.
Match the situation with the most natural phrase.
Situations: 1. Stepping on a toe in the bus, 2. Formal apology to a client, 3. Telling a friend you are sorry their dog is sick.
Perdón is for minor accidents, Pedir disculpas is for formal errors, and Lo siento is for sympathy.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
Juan: '¿Por qué no viniste a la reunión?' María: '___ disculpas, me quedé sin batería.'
The standard collocation is 'pedir disculpas'.
In which of these situations should you NOT use 'pedir disculpas'?
Select the incorrect context.
You use 'Lo siento' for sympathy. 'Pedir disculpas' implies you are the one who caused the problem.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
5 AufgabenYo ___ disculpas por mi comportamiento de ayer.
The verb 'pedir' is irregular (e->i) in the first person present tense.
You missed a deadline and want to apologize.
This option uses the formal 'Le', the correct plural 'disculpas', and the correct preposition 'por'.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Perdón is for minor accidents, Pedir disculpas is for formal errors, and Lo siento is for sympathy.
Juan: '¿Por qué no viniste a la reunión?' María: '___ disculpas, me quedé sin batería.'
The standard collocation is 'pedir disculpas'.
Select the incorrect context.
You use 'Lo siento' for sympathy. 'Pedir disculpas' implies you are the one who caused the problem.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 Fragen'Perdón' es más personal y emocional. 'Disculpas' es más social y formal.
Sí, pero 'pido disculpas' suena más profesional.
Porque en la cultura española, tú pides que el otro te perdone; el poder está en la otra persona.
Casi siempre se usa en plural: 'disculpas'.
La mejor forma es 'Le pido disculpas por...'
Sí, es universal, aunque en algunos países como Colombia prefieren 'qué pena'.
Sí, es el verbo reflexivo. 'Él se disculpó' = 'Él pidió disculpas'.
Puedes decir 'No te preocupes', 'Está bien' o 'No hay problema'.
No, para eso usa 'Lo siento' o 'Mi más pésame'.
Diciendo 'Les pido disculpas a todos'.
Un poco, pero si el error fue grande, es perfecto.
Decir 'hacer una disculpa'.
Sí: 'Le pedí disculpas ayer'.
Es más formal, típico de noticias o comunicados oficiales.
Verwandte Redewendungen
pedir perdón
similarTo ask for forgiveness
disculparse
synonymTo apologize (reflexive)
lo siento
similarI'm sorry
con su permiso
contrastWith your permission
reivindicarse
builds onTo redeem oneself
