Expression · A1 · Spanish glossary

Lo siento: I am sorry

lo siento

Pronunciation: loh SYEHN-toh (stress the capital letters)

Lo siento means “I am sorry” in English.

Quick answer

  • Meaning: I am sorry
  • How to say it: loh SYEHN-toh
  • Level: Beginner (A1)

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What “lo siento” means and how to use it

Lo siento means “I am sorry.” You use it to apologize or to show sympathy for someone’s bad news.

Examples with audio

  • Lo siento, llegué tarde.I am sorry, I arrived late.
  • Lo siento mucho por tu pérdida.I am very sorry for your loss.
  • Lo siento, no entiendo.I am sorry, I do not understand.

Usage tip

Use “lo siento” for a real apology or condolences and “perdón” for a small mistake. The full verb is sentir: “siento mucho lo que pasó.”

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “I am sorry” in Spanish?

“I am sorry” in Spanish is “lo siento.” It is pronounced loh SYEHN-toh, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.

How do you pronounce “lo siento”?

Say loh SYEHN-toh. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.

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