How to use I'm sorry! Expressing regret in Spanish

Learn how to use I'm sorry! Expressing regret, and what to use it for in Spanish.
Test your Spanish level for free today with Hotel Borbollón.

TEST YOUR SPANISH Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million learners worldwide

I'm sorry! Expressing regret

A simple way of expressing regret is to say lo siento / lo lamento (I'm sorry).

Me equivoqué, lo siento/lo lamento.

I made a mistake, I'm sorry.

Other ways of expressing regret:

  • Lamentar (to be sorry about, to regret)

Lamentamos haber llegado tarde.

Sorry we're late – literally “We're sorry to have arrived late”.

Lamento llamar a esta hora.

I'm sorry to call at this hour.

  • Sentir (to be sorry about, to regret)

Siento haber sido desagradable.

I'm sorry for having been disagreeable. 

Sentimos tu pérdida.

We are sorry for your loss, We feel your loss.

  • Arrepentirse (to regret, to repent)

Me arrepiento de haber venido.

I regret having come, I regret coming.

  • Ojalá (I wish) + (no) + past perfect subjunctive

Ojalá hubiera dicho algo.  decir, subj. pret. pluscuamperfecto

I wish I had said something.

Ojalá no hubiera comprado tantas cosas. comprar, subj. pret. pluscuamperfecto

I wish I hadn't bought so many things.

Note: lamentar, sentir and arrepentirse follow these structures: 

  • lamentar / arrepentirse de + haber + past participle
  • lamentar / sentir + infinitive or noun

Still facing difficulties with 'I'm sorry! Expressing regret'? Learn and enhance your Spanish grammar through our online Spanish course. Start with a free test and improve today!

TEST YOUR SPANISH

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online Spanish lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my Spanish. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Improve your Spanish further and test Hotel Borbollón, online Spanish lessons.