desculpa / perdoa
Apologizing and Getting Attention
Desculpa and perdoa mean "excuse me" or "sorry". They are commands of the verbs desculpar and perdoar, so their form depends on who you are talking to.
How It Works
1. Four forms for four kinds of listener
Galician turns the verbs desculpar (to excuse) and perdoar (to forgive) into polite commands. Pick the form that matches how you address the listener:
- ti (one friend, child or family member): desculpa, perdoa
- vostede (one stranger or older person): desculpe, perdoe
- vós (a group you know well): desculpade, perdoade
- vostedes (a group, politely): desculpen, perdoen
The two verbs mean the same thing here, so you can use either one. See vós and vostedes for the plural forms of address.
2. Getting attention
Put the word first, then ask your question: Desculpe, sabe onde está a estación? (Excuse me, do you know where the station is?). Once you choose vostede, keep the rest of the sentence in the vostede form too.
3. Saying sorry
The same words apologise for small things. Add what you are sorry for as a direct object: Perdoa o atraso (Sorry for the delay), Desculpade o meu atraso (Sorry I'm late, all of you). The noun perdón also works as a short, neutral "sorry" or "excuse me" with anyone: Perdón, poderíame dicir a hora? (Sorry, could you tell me the time?)
4. Stronger regret
For real sorrow or a bigger mistake, say Sinto moito or Síntoo moito (I am very sorry). To say "I apologise", use Pido desculpas.
5. Spelling
The Galician verb is perdoar, with no n, so the forms are perdoa and perdoe. These phrases often go together with por favor and grazas.
Examples (6)
- Desculpa, onde está a estación?
Excuse me, where is the station?
Word by Word: Excuse, where is the station?
Desculpa speaks to one person you call ti.
- Desculpe, sabe que hora é?
Excuse me, do you know what time it is?
Word by Word: Excuse, know-you what hour is?
Desculpe and sabe are both vostede forms, so the whole sentence is polite.
- Perdoa o atraso.
Sorry for being late.
Word by Word: Forgive the delay.
- Perdoe, pode repetir, por favor?
Sorry, could you repeat that, please?
Word by Word: Forgive, can-you repeat, please?
- Desculpade, rapaces, xa volvo.
Sorry, guys, I'll be right back.
Word by Word: Excuse-(you-all), lads, already I-return.
Desculpade speaks to a group you call vós.
- Sinto moito, non te vin.
I'm so sorry, I didn't see you.
Word by Word: I-feel much, not you I-saw.
Common Mistakes
Mixing the ti form desculpa with vostede in the same request.
Desculpa, vostede sabe onde está a estación?Desculpe, vostede sabe onde está a estación?Desculpa belongs with ti. When you address someone as vostede, use desculpe so the whole sentence stays polite.
Using the Spanish spelling perdona.
Perdona, onde está o baño?Perdoa, onde está o baño?The Galician verb is perdoar, without n, so the ti form is perdoa and the vostede form is perdoe.
Using the Spanish phrase lo siento for "I am sorry".
Lo siento, non te vin.Síntoo, non te vin.Galician says síntoo or sinto moito. Lo siento is Spanish.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Apologies and attention-getters choose a form appropriate to the addressee.
Related Patterns
- vós / vostedesPlural You: Vós and Vostedes
Gives the group forms desculpade and desculpen.
Level 1 - grazas / por favor / de nadaPlease and Thank You
Other everyday courtesy words used with apologies and requests.
Level 1 - que tal?Asking How Someone Is
A natural next step after getting someone's attention.
Level 1 - Affirmative Commands
Explains the command forms that desculpa and perdoa come from.
Level 2 - Commands With vostedeFormal Commands with Vostede
Explains why the vostede forms end in -e: desculpe, perdoe.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice desculpa / perdoa in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Galician lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
