New here? This is lesson 98 of a free 238-lesson Spanish course.
Free Spanish CourseLesson 98 of 238
I'm really sorry in Spanish
Justin has caused a real problem at the apartment, and this time a quick Perdón isn't enough.
You'll say what you're sorry for, explain that you didn't mean it, and ask how to fix things.
Then you'll promise it won't happen again and understand a sincere answer that everything is truly okay.
By the end of this lesson
Apologize for something specific and ask how to make it right.
- Perdón por ___Sorry for ___
- No fue mi intenciónI didn't mean to
- ¿Cómo lo arreglo?How do I make it right?
- Está bien, de verdadIt's really okay
- No vuelve a pasarIt won't happen again
Scene — a noisy morning
It is morning in the apartment building. Justin was making a lot of noise while Amanda was trying to sleep.
Amanda meets him in the hallway, and Yako watches from two chairs near the stairs. The hallway is quiet now.
Learn — specific apologies
These five chunks help you apologize clearly instead of stopping at a general sorry.
You'll name the problem, take responsibility, ask for a solution, and promise to change.
Perdón por ___
Sorry for ___
When to use it: Use this before naming the specific thing you are sorry about.
Por introduces the cause of your apology; learn the whole chunk as one piece.
Say it: pehr-DOHN pohr
No fue mi intención
I didn't mean to
When to use it: Say this to explain that the problem was not deliberate.
Intención means intention, and the accent marks the final syllable.
Say it: noh fweh mee een-ten-see-OHN
¿Cómo lo arreglo?
How do I make it right?
When to use it: Ask this when you want the other person to suggest a solution.
Lo refers to the situation or problem you want to fix.
Say it: KOH-moh loh ah-RREH-gloh
Está bien, de verdad
It's really okay
When to use it: Use this to reassure someone that you genuinely accept the apology.
De verdad adds sincere emphasis, meaning really or truly.
Say it: eh-STAH byen deh vehr-DAHD
No vuelve a pasar
It won't happen again
When to use it: Promise this when you will make sure the same problem does not repeat.
Vuelve a pasar means happens again; no makes the promise negative.
Say it: noh VWEHL-veh ah pah-SAHR
Story — the upstairs neighbor
Watch Justin give a specific apology instead of only saying sorry.
The highlighted chunks show how he names the problem, offers to fix it, and promises a change.
- Morning light fills the hallway. Amanda looks tired, and Yako listens from his two chairs.
AmandaJustin, el ruido me despertó muy temprano.Justin, the noise woke me up very early.
JustinPerdón por el ruido.Sorry for the noise.- JustinNo fue mi intención.I didn't mean to.
- Justin¿Cómo lo arreglo?How do I make it right?
- AmandaEstá bien, de verdad. Solo baja la música.It's really okay. Just turn down the music.
- JustinNo vuelve a pasar.It won't happen again.
- AmandaNo te preocupes, pero necesito dormir.Don't worry, but I need to sleep.
YakoY yo voy tarde a la reunión.And I'm running late to the meeting.- Yako nods solemnly, then tries to apologize to the sleeping building.
- YakoPerdón por el ruido.Sorry for the noise.
Practice — make it right
Practice the apology from several angles: listen for meaning, fill the frame, choose a reply, and rebuild the chunks.
Read each situation carefully, because the specific problem matters.
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What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
Spanish
PerdónDrop the English hereEstá bien, de verdadDrop the English hereNo vuelve a pasarDrop the English hereEnglish
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Sorry for ___
Perdón ____ ___
What do you say?
What do you say?
You accidentally made loud noise while Amanda was sleeping. Name the problem as you apologize.
Swap the word
Swap the word
You are apologizing for the noise.
Perdón ____
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
¿Cómo lo arreglo?
Pick the reply
Amanda says:
Pick the reply
Está bien, de verdad.
It's really okay.
And you reply with:
What do you say?
What do you say?
Amanda accepts your apology sincerely. Confirm that everything is really okay.
True or false?
True or false?
This line promises that the same problem will not happen again.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Yako is late to a meeting and wants to state that problem.
Build the line
Build the line
I didn't mean to
Tap the words in order.
Say it — repair the situation
Now you are Justin in the hallway. Amanda describes the problem, and you respond with a complete apology.
Tap ▶ to hear the model line, then tap the microphone. Your recording stays on your device.
- AmandaEl ruido me despertó.The noise woke me up.
- Justin (you)Apologize specifically for the noise.
Apologize specifically for the noise.
Perdón por ___
Sorry for ___
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Recap — what you can say now
| Spanish | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Perdón por ___ | Sorry for ___ | |
| No fue mi intención | I didn't mean to | |
| ¿Cómo lo arreglo? | How do I make it right? | |
| Está bien, de verdad | It's really okay | |
| No vuelve a pasar | It won't happen again |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these apology chunks handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick review helps you name the problem and offer a real fix when an apology matters.
Open Yak Cards