Polite Phrases in Spanish
Good manners go a long way in Spanish. Native speakers notice when you say please and thank you, and they will also notice when you pick the right form of “excuse me.” English uses one phrase for several situations, but Spanish uses a few, and each has its own moment.
Quick answer
- Please and thank you: Por favor. Gracias. Muchas gracias.
- You’re welcome: De nada.
- Excuse me has three versions: Con permiso (to pass), perdón (after a bump), disculpe (to get attention)
Please, thank you, and you’re welcome
Por favor means “please.” You can place it at the start or at the end of a request. Gracias means “thank you,” and muchas gracias or mil gracias means “thank you very much.” The usual answer is de nada. You will also hear con gusto (with pleasure) and no hay de qué.
Examples
- Un café, por favor.A coffee, please.Por favor at the end.
- Por favor, ¿me ayuda?Please, can you help me?Por favor at the start.
- Muchas gracias por todo.Thank you very much for everything.Gracias por plus a noun.
- —Gracias. —De nada.“Thank you.” “You’re welcome.”The standard answer.
Excuse me: con permiso, perdón, disculpe
Spanish separates three situations. Use con permiso to ask for room, such as when you walk past someone or enter a room. Use perdón when you bump into someone, interrupt, or want to say “pardon me.” Use disculpe (to someone you address as usted) or disculpa (to a friend) to get someone’s attention, as in “excuse me, sir.” In Mexico you will also hear ¿Mande? as a friendly “pardon?” when you did not hear something.
Examples
- Con permiso, ¿puedo pasar?Excuse me, may I pass?Asking for room.
- Perdón, no lo vi.Sorry, I did not see you.After a small accident.
- Disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño?Excuse me, where is the bathroom?Getting attention, with usted.
- Disculpa, ¿tienes hora?Excuse me, do you have the time?To someone you address as tú.
Sorry: lo siento
Lo siento means “I am sorry.” It is a little stronger than perdón, and it is the phrase for apologies, bad news, and sympathy. For a minor mistake you can add mucho: lo siento mucho. For a serious loss, say mi más sentido pésame (my deepest condolences).
Examples
- Lo siento mucho, llegué tarde.I am very sorry, I arrived late.A real apology.
- Lo siento, no entiendo.I am sorry, I do not understand.Polite way to say you did not understand.
- Siento mucho lo de tu abuelo.I am very sorry about your grandfather.Sympathy.
Everyday courtesies
A few more phrases will make you sound natural. After someone sneezes, you say salud. Before a meal, say buen provecho, which means “enjoy your meal” and is very common in Mexico. When you say goodbye, que te vaya bien and que tengas un buen día are warm and friendly.
Examples
- ¡Salud!Bless you! (also: cheers)After a sneeze, or when you toast.
- Buen provecho.Enjoy your meal.Said at the start of a meal.
- Que tengas un buen día.Have a good day.To a friend, with tú.
- Que le vaya bien.Take care. (formal)With usted.
Spanish around the world
- In Mexico, people say ¿Mande? for “pardon?” and de nada or con gusto for “you’re welcome.” In Spain, ¿Cómo? is more common for “pardon?” All of these are understood everywhere.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Lo siento, ¿puedo pasar?
Correct: Con permiso, ¿puedo pasar?
To pass through, use con permiso. Lo siento is for apologies.
Incorrect: Tú eres bienvenido.
Correct: De nada.
“You’re welcome” as a reply to thanks is de nada, not a literal translation.
Incorrect: Gracias a ti por favor.
Correct: Gracias. Por favor, siéntese.
Please is por favor. Keep thanks and requests as separate phrases.
Incorrect: Lo siento, ¿dónde está el baño?
Correct: Disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño?
To get attention or ask a question, use disculpe or perdón.
Remember the phrases
- Por favor is please, gracias is thank you, and de nada is the reply.
- Con permiso asks for room, perdón is “pardon me,” and disculpe gets someone’s attention.
- Lo siento is for real apologies and sympathy.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Is perdón or lo siento stronger?
Lo siento is stronger. Perdón is quick and light, and lo siento is for apologies that matter.
What is the difference between disculpe and disculpa?
They are the same phrase. Disculpe is for someone you address as usted, and disculpa is for someone you address as tú.
Do I need to say por favor every time?
In a shop or restaurant, yes. People expect it with requests, and it makes your Spanish sound much warmer.
What does ‘mande’ mean?
In Mexico, ¿Mande? is a polite way to say “pardon?” or “yes?” when someone calls you. It is common and friendly, though some younger speakers prefer ¿Cómo?.
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