Lo siento/Permiso/Disculpa

[ers074]

What is the difference between lo siento, permiso and disculpa. What would be an example of when to use ... lo siento, permiso and disculpa

Thanks!

[satchrocks]

Originally Posted by ers074

What is the difference between lo siento, permiso and disculpa. What would be an example of when to use ... lo siento, permiso and disculpa

Thanks!

I can't answer your question comprehensively (I'm sure another member will expound upon my answer/correct me if I'm wrong), but I believe "con permiso" is a less personal way of saying "sorry"; so if you were to walk through a crowd and meant to say "excuse me,"' for example, you would use "con permiso."

"Lo siento" is a more personal/conversational way of saying "I'm sorry," I believe.

Not sure about "disculpa."

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Originally Posted by ers074

What is the difference between lo siento, permiso and disculpa. What would be an example of when to use ... lo siento, permiso and disculpa

Thanks!

Lo siento = I'm sorry, when you regret what you've done, or you fear what you say or do will cause some kind of harm.

Lo siento, pero tengo que darte una mala noticia.
I'm sorry, I have to give you some bad news.

No fue mi intención golpearte. Lo siento.
Hitting you was not my intention. I'm sorry.


Disculpa/Disculpe = Excuse me.

Disculpe, ¿podría decirme dónde queda la Calle X?
Excuse me, could you tell me please where X Street is?


Permiso = excuse me or sorry, when you want permission to walk ahead, go into a place, walk through some crowd...

Con permiso, ¿me permite pasar?
Excuse me, may I come in?

[ers074]

Thankyou, i am still a little confused with: Disculpe, is it to like get attention? what else?

[Rusty]

Yep, you would use it to get attention before you ask a question (especially if you're interrupting), as in the sample given above. But it is also a way to ask forgiveness.

Espero que me disculpes. = I hope you forgive me.