El Día del Padre (Father's Day) is celebrated on el tercer domingo de junio (the third Sunday in June) in both the United States and in many Latin American countries. Let's talk about some Spanish vocabulary and traditions related to this holiday aimed at showing appreciation for fathers and father figures. 

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5 Ways to Say "Father" in Spanish:

Let's start off by learning 5 different ways to say "father" in Spanish, ranging from more formal to less so, and hear them pronounced: 

1. Padre (father)

Mm... ¿y a tu padre, en qué cosas te pareces?

Mm... And your father, how are you like him?

Captions 60-61, El Aula Azul La Doctora Consejos: parecer y parecerse

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2. Papá (dad/papa)

Ayer me llamó mi papá.

My dad called me yesterday.

Caption 53, Carlos y Cyndy La pronunciación en Colombia y Argentina

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3. Pa (dad/pa)

Hola, pa, hola, ma. 

Hi, Dad, hi, Mom.

Caption 30, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 5 - Part 7

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4. Papito (Daddy)

Papito...

Daddy...

Caption 5, X6 1 - La banda - Part 6

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5. Papi 

Sólo un poquito, papi... ¿Sí?

Just a little bit, Daddy... OK?

Caption 8, X6 1 - La banda - Part 6

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Note that the latter two terms can also be used colloquially to say something like "dude" or "baby," depending on the context.

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Father's Day Traditions

Probably the single best way to show appreciation for your dad is simply pasar tiempo con él (to spend time with him). This might entail going out to a meal, which is a common tradition in the United States as well as in Spanish-speaking countries, where it is also traditional to do large family cookouts or asados (barbecues). Alternatively, you might organize some kind of excursión (outing) with dad, like the one Fermín talks about here:

Hoy nos hemos ido de excursión para hacer senderismo,

Today, we've gone on an excursion to hike,

Captions 2-3, Viajando con Fermín El Caminito del Rey - Part 1

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Father's Days Gifts

Giving your dad a little regalo (present) might also help make his day! Hallmark reports that Father's Day is the fourth most popular day to give tarjetas (greeting cards), or make them oneself, which is a common tradition in Mexico. Let's hear this word pronounced:

Por ejemplo, podemos hacer tarjetas para regalos, 

For example, we can make cards for gifts,

Caption 14, Adriana Lettering - Part 

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1. Un tazón (a mug)

2. Unas fotos (some pictures)

Included in this category might be accessories like un albúm (an album) or un portarretratos (a picture frame). Let's listen to the latter term along with the longer term for "pictures":

un portarretratos con la fotografía de mi hijo.

a picture frame with my son's picture.

Caption 30, Ana Carolina Arreglando el dormitorio

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3. Una corbata (a tie)

Qué linda corbata.

What a nice tie.

Caption 2, Confidencial: El rey de la estafa Capítulo 5 - Part 5

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And although a tie is, perhaps, the most popular Father's Day clothing gift, other articles of clothing also rank high on the list, the names for which you can learn in our lesson on articles of clothing in Spanish.

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Kind Words

Finally, you might also offer your father kind words like Te quiero mucho (I love you a lot), Eres el mejor papá del mundo (You're the best dad in the world) or simply Gracias por estar ahí (Thanks for being there). Or, wish him a Happy Father's Day by saying Feliz Día del Padre (Happy Father's Day) or simply ¡Feliz Día, Papá! (Happy Day, Dad!).

That's all for today. If you like learning about holiday vocabulary and traditions in Spanish, we recommend you check out more lessons in our archives related to holidays and celebrations, and don't forget to write us with your questions and comments.

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Are you familiar with the Spanish word según? Did you know that it can function as a preposition, a conjunction or even an adverb? Let's explore six meanings of this common Spanish word.

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1. In Accordance With 

As a preposition, the Spanish word según can mean "according to," "in agreement with" or "in accordance with," in the sense of following or abiding by something. Let's see an example of this usage: 

Yo estoy actuando según la ley.

I'm acting in accordance with the law.

Caption 11, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 3 - Part 10

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2. According To

As we see in the following captions, like "according to" in English, the Spanish preposition según can also appear before nouns or personal pronouns to describe what people or entities believe or say.

y según expertos es una de las más antiguas

and according to experts, it's one of the oldest ones,

Caption 25, Amaya Cata de vinos

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Las pirámides, según los abuelos Mayas, no son monumentos

The pyramids, according to the Mayan elders, are not monuments

Caption 47, Guillermo el chamán La tecnología maya

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3. Corresponding With or in Proportion To

This use of según as a preposition is often translated with the English phrase "depending on." In this case, según is often followed by a noun phrase that includes a verb in the subjunctive and describes some variable on which an outcome depends. Let's take a look:

que, según la manera en que respiremos, así va a ser nuestra vida.

as, depending upon the manner in which we breathe, that's how our life is going to be.

Captions 76-77, Ana Teresa La respiración

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Esta planta tiene diferentes nombres según el país en que se encuentre, 

This plant has different names depending on the country in which it is found,

Caption 15, Fermín La plumeria - Part 1

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4. Depending on What or How

In this case, the Spanish word según is classified as a conjunction and is often followed immediately by a verb in the subjunctive mood. Typical translations include "depending on what" or "depending on how," as in the following example:

Let's see one more from the Yabla Spanish library:

Aquí se tira mucho o poco según se mire.

Here a lot or a little is thrown away depending on how you look at it.

Caption 20, Los Reporteros Sembrar, comer, tirar - Part 1

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5. As

There are two ways in which the Spanish conjunction según can function like the English word "as." Let's take a closer look. 

In the way that:

The Spanish word según can be replaced with the English word "as" to say "in the way that," as we see here:

Que según entiendo tampoco estás haciendo con juicio.

Which, as I understand, you're not doing sensibly, either.

Caption 59, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 5 - Part 7

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según dicen algunos, que de ahí proviene el nombre de Coronil.

as some people say, from there comes the name Coronil.

Captions 10-11, Tecnópolis El Coronil

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Simultaneously:

Según can also be translated as "as" as to talk about something that is happening at the same time as something else:

6. It All Depends 

Finally, as we see in the caption below, the word según in Spanish can stand alone as an adverb meaning "depending" or "it all depends."

That's all for today. We hope that this lesson has helped you to distinguish the many nuanced uses of the word según in Spanish, and don't forget to write us with your suggestions and comments.

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Learning a new language means making mistakes—it's part of the journey! But knowing how to apologize gracefully in Spanish can turn those awkward moments into opportunities to connect with native speakers. Whether you accidentally bumped into someone on the subway or need to express genuine regret, knowing how to say "I'm sorry" in Spanish is essential.

In this lesson, we'll explore all the ways to apologize in Spanish, from casual "oops!" moments to heartfelt apologies. Let's dive in!

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Lo Siento: The Most Common Way to Say Sorry in Spanish

The phrase lo siento (literally, "I feel it") is the most versatile and common way to say "I'm sorry" in Spanish. Think of it as your go-to apology for everyday situations.

No sé qué más decirle, lo siento. Fue una estupidez.

I don't know what else to say to you, I'm sorry. It was a stupid thing [to do].

Captions 30-31, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 14 - Part 8

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Here's the thing about lo siento—it's all about the tone. Said sincerely, it can help you get out of almost any sticky situation. But be careful! Just like "I'm sorry" in English, lo siento can also sound dismissive or sarcastic if you're not careful:

Lo siento, pequeña, pero aquí las cosas hay que ganárselas.

I'm sorry, little one, but here things have to be earned.

Captions 30-31, NPS No puede ser 1 - El concurso - Part 5

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Spanish speakers also use lo siento to soften bad news or explain why they can't help someone:

Lo siento, Duque, me dieron orden de no dejarlo entrar por nada del mundo.

I'm sorry, Duque, I was given an order not to let you in for anything in the world.

Caption 42, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 12

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Lo Siento Mucho: Adding Emphasis to Your Apology

Adding mucho (a lot) transforms your apology into "I'm very sorry" or "I'm so sorry." This is one of the most common ways Spanish speakers intensify their apologies to show they really mean it.

Lo siento mucho, realmente, señorita Martínez.

I'm very sorry, really, Miss Martínez.

Caption 34, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 5 - Part 10

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Beyond lo siento mucho, Spanish offers other ways to add sincerity and emphasis to your apologies. One popular variation is lo siento de veras (I'm really sorry), which has a heartfelt, genuine quality:

Lo siento. Lo siento de veras.

I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.

Captions 16-17, Extr@: Extra en español Ep. 5: Ha nacido una estrella - Part 1

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Understanding these nuances will help you sound more natural when apologizing in Spanish.

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Perdón and Perdóname: Asking for Forgiveness

Now we're getting into more serious apology territory! The word perdón means "forgiveness" in Spanish, and the verb perdonar means "to forgive." These words carry more weight than lo siento because they're rooted in legal and religious contexts where the concept of forgiveness is tied to guilt or fault. Perdón can be used as:

1. A standalone apology
 

¡Ay, perdón por todo el desorden! ¡Ay, no sé que me pasó!

Oh, sorry for all the mess! Oh, I don't know what happened to me!

Captions 54-55, Yago 9 Recuperación - Part 1

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2. A way to get someone's attention (excuse me):

Perdón, ¿sabe dónde está la estación?

Excuse me, do you know where the station is?

3. An interruption:
   

Perdón por interrumpir.

Sorry for interrupting.

When you add the pronoun me to create perdóname, you're directly asking someone to forgive you. This is more personal and intimate:

¿Trajiste las cervezas? Se me olvidaron. ¡Perfecto! Perdóname, se me olvidaron.

Did you bring the beers? They slipped my mind. Perfect! Sorry, they slipped my mind.

Captions 41-44, Los Años Maravillosos Capítulo 12 - Part 7

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📌 The formal version is perdóneme (used with people you address as usted).

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Disculpa and Discúlpame: Casual Apologies

The word disculpa literally means "non-guilt" or "without guilt," and disculpar means to excuse or forgive. These words are generally softer than perdón and are commonly used in everyday situations.

Disculpa works similarly to perdón but tends to be:

• Slightly less formal

• Used more for minor offenses

• Common in Latin America

Examples:

Disculpa que haya tardado un poco, pero es que había un tráfico impresionante.

Sorry I've come a bit late, but it's just that there was some incredible traffic.

Captions 23-24, Fermín y Manuel Durar vs. Tardar

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📌 Like perdón, you can add me to make it more personal: discúlpame (excuse me/forgive me). The formal version is discúlpeme.

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Formal vs. Informal: Choosing the Right Apology

Understanding when to use formal versus informal apologies is crucial for sounding natural and respectful in Spanish:

Informal (tú):

• Lo siento

• Perdón

• Perdóname

• Disculpa

• Discúlpame

Mami, perdóname.

Mommy, forgive me.

Caption 32, Confidencial: Asesino al Volante Capítulo 5 - Part 7

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Formal (usted):

• Lo siento

• Perdón

• Perdóneme

• Disculpe

• Discúlpeme

Por favor, perdóneme. Mire, si usted está brava conmigo,

Please, forgive me. Look, if you're mad at me,

Caption 23, Confidencial: Broma pesada Capítulo 5 - Part 1

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Putting It All Together: How to Say Sorry in Spanish

Now you know exactly how to say I'm sorry in Spanish for any situation! Here's a quick recap:

• Lo siento - Your everyday, all-purpose "I'm sorry"

• Lo siento mucho - "I'm very sorry" (adds emphasis)

• Lo siento de veras - "I'm really sorry" (heartfelt variation)

• Perdón/Perdóname - Asking for forgiveness (stronger, more serious)

• Disculpa/Discúlpame - Casual "excuse me" or "sorry" (softer than perdón)

The key to mastering these expressions is understanding not just what they mean, but when and how to use them. Pay attention to context, tone, and the relationship between speakers. With practice, you'll know instinctively which apology fits each situation.

Remember, making mistakes is how we learn—and knowing how to say "I'm sorry" in Spanish shows cultural awareness and respect. So don't be afraid to use these phrases in real conversations!

We'd love to hear about your experiences using these expressions. Share your questions and any funny apology mishaps you've had while learning Spanish!