Don’t Say “Lo Siento” in Argentine Spanish: Real Ways to Say “I’m Sorry” in Argentina

**Introduction: Why Lo Siento Doesn’t Work in Argentina**

If you’re planning on living in Buenos Aires, moving as an expat in Argentina, or just spending a few months here as a digital nomad, you’ll notice something strange: nobody says lo siento.

That classic textbook phrase you probably learned on day one of Spanish class is basically never used in Argentina. If you use it here, you’ll sound like a tourist—or worse, like you copied straight from Google Translate.

Instead, Argentines use different expressions that feel more natural, casual, and in tune with everyday life. And the key word you need to understand is: perdón.

Let’s dive into the real Argentine Spanish phrases you need when apologizing, whether you’re bumping into someone on the subte (subway), arriving late to a business meeting, or simply saying “my bad” to a new friend.

**1. Perdón – The Most Common Way to Say Sorry**

Forget lo siento. In Argentina, the word you’ll actually hear is perdón.

Perdón = forgive me / excuse me / sorry

This little word is everywhere, and it’s extremely flexible. You can use it when:

You bump into someone in the street: ¡Perdón!
You arrive late: Perdón, el tráfico estaba terrible.
You interrupt someone: Perdón, ¿puedo decir algo?

👉 Think of perdón as the all-purpose “sorry/excuse me” in Argentina.

**2. Perdoname / Perdóneme – Forgive Me**

These are the “extended” versions of perdón.

Perdoname (casual, using vos)
Perdóneme (formal, using usted)

Examples:

Casual: Che, perdoname por no avisarte antes. (Hey, sorry for not telling you earlier.)
Formal: Perdóneme, señor, no era mi intención. (Forgive me, sir, it wasn’t my intention.)

💡 Notice how Argentine Spanish uses vos instead of tú. That’s why you’ll hear perdoname instead of perdóname.

«Sorry» in Argentine Spanish

3. Disculpá / Disculpe

Another super common option is disculpar, meaning “to excuse.”

Disculpá (casual, vos)
Disculpe (formal, usted)

Examples:

On the bus: Disculpá, ¿este asiento está ocupado?
In a meeting: Disculpe la demora, hubo un problema con el transporte.

👉 These are perfect for polite interruptions, asking for permission, or apologizing in a softer way than perdón.

4. Disculpame / Discúlpeme

Similar to perdoname, here we add the pronoun:

Disculpame (casual)
Discúlpeme (formal)

Examples:

Disculpame si te ofendí. (Sorry if I offended you.)
Discúlpeme, ingeniera, ¿puedo hacerle una pregunta? (Excuse me, engineer, may I ask you a question?)

These feel slightly more formal and serious than just disculpá or disculpe.

**5. Mil disculpas – A Stronger Apology**

When you want to show extra regret, Argentines often say:

Mil disculpas = a thousand apologies

Example:

Mil disculpas, se me pasó completamente contestarte. (I’m really sorry, I completely forgot to reply.)

👉 This works well in business contexts or when you really want to emphasize your apology.

**6. Perdón por… – Sorry For…**

To apologize for something specific, just add por:

Perdón por llegar tarde. (Sorry for being late.)
Perdón por el ruido. (Sorry for the noise.)

This is simple, direct, and very common.

**7. Mala mía – “My Bad”**

Now let’s get into Argentine slang.

Mala mía literally means “bad mine” → equivalent to “my bad.”

Examples:

You forget to bring mate to a picnic: Uy, mala mía, me lo olvidé.
You step on your friend’s shoe: Mala mía, no te vi.

⚠️ Important: mala mía is not as serious as perdón. It’s casual, friendly, and best for small mistakes. Don’t use it in a business meeting!

**8. Pido disculpas – I Apologize (Formal)**

Finally, if you want to be very formal, you can use the phrase:

Pido disculpas = I apologize

Examples:

Pido disculpas por la confusión en el informe.
Pido disculpas si hubo un malentendido.

👉 This is the kind of phrase you might hear in business in Argentina, in emails, or even on TV when a politician apologizes.

Quick Recap

❌ Don’t say: Lo siento (never used in Argentina).
✅ Do say:

Perdón / Perdoname / Perdóneme
Disculpá / Disculpe / Disculpame / Discúlpeme
Mil disculpas
Perdón por…
Mala mía (casual only)
Pido disculpas (formal)

With these expressions, you’ll sound much more native and natural when living in Buenos Aires or traveling across Argentina.

Conclusion: Apologize Like an Argentine

When you arrive in Argentina as a digital nomad, expat, or traveler, the little things matter. Saying perdón instead of lo siento is one of those subtle details that will make locals smile and instantly recognize that you’re making the effort to speak real Argentine Spanish.

So, next time you bump into someone at a kiosco or arrive late to dinner with new Argentine friends, remember: stop saying lo siento—and use the words that Argentines actually use every day.
Watch this video to understand it much better:

SPANISH MINDSET