perdó, disculpa, escolta

Apologies and Getting Attention

Level 1

Perdó and disculpa can introduce an apology or politely get attention.

How It Works

Perdó works without choosing a person form. With disculpar or dispensar, match the person addressed: disculpa/dispensa for tu; disculpi/dispensi for vostè; disculpeu/dispenseu for vosaltres or respectful singular vós; disculpin/dispensin for vostès.

Disculpa and disculpi are accepted Catalan forms. They should not be marked incorrect merely because Spanish has similar words. Escolta and escolti ask someone to listen; in a brief request for attention, a courteous opening and context help set the tone.

For a fuller apology, say em sap greu or perdona'm, then explain what happened. A request such as perdó, em pot ajudar? seeks attention rather than admitting a serious fault. Keep one address form consistent across the exchange.

Examples (3)

  1. Perdó, on és la sortida?

    Excuse me, where is the exit?

  2. Disculpi, em pot ajudar?

    Excuse me, could you help me?

  3. Dispensin el retard.

    Please excuse the delay. (Addressing vostès.)

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing vostès with a vosaltres command.

    Vostès, dispenseu el retard.
    Vostès, dispensin el retard.

    Dispenseu addresses vosaltres or singular vós. Vostès requires dispensin.

How It Connects

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perdó, disculpa, escoltaLevel 1Apologies and Getting Attention

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Words in This Pattern

perdódisculparescoltardisculpa