Forgiving in Spanish: Accepting an Apology and Moving On
Learn to respond to an apology in Latin American Spanish with phrases like 'No te preocupes' and 'Te agradezco la disculpa,' then close the topic politely.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When someone apologizes to you in Spanish, you are the receiver, so you need a different set of phrases than the ones used to say sorry. This lesson teaches elementary Latin American Spanish responses that accept an apology, reassure the other person, and move the conversation forward. You will practice informal and formal forms, because Spanish changes depending on whether you speak to a friend, a stranger, or someone older.
By the end, you can…
- accept an apology in informal and formal Spanish.
- reassure someone with 'No te preocupes' or 'No se preocupe.'
- say I appreciate an apology and then change the topic politely.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Está bien, no te preocupes.
It's okay, don't worry.
eh-STAH byehn, noh teh preh-oh-KOO-pehs
Informal response to a friend or family member. 'Te' matches tú.
No pasa nada.
It's no big deal / Nothing happened.
noh PAH-sah NAH-dah
Very common, friendly way to say the problem is not serious.
Te agradezco la disculpa.
I appreciate your apology.
teh ah-grah-DEH-skoh lah dees-KOOL-pah
Warm and sincere; works with tú. A bit more formal in tone.
No se preocupe, está bien.
Don't worry, it's okay.
noh seh preh-oh-KOO-peh, eh-STAH byehn
Formal, for usted: a stranger, a client, or an older person.
Gracias por disculparte. Sigamos.
Thanks for apologizing. Let's move on.
GRAH-syahs por dees-kool-PAR-teh. see-GAH-mohs
Acknowledges the apology and signals that the topic is closed.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is a short reassurance plus an optional thanks. Start with 'Está bien' or 'No pasa nada,' then add 'no te preocupes' for tú or 'no se preocupe' for usted. To sound warmer, add 'Te agradezco la disculpa' or 'Gracias por disculparte.' Spanish often uses the present tense here: 'Te agradezco' means 'I appreciate,' not 'I will appreciate.'
When to use it
Use informal forms with friends, classmates, and family: 'No te preocupes, está bien.' Use formal forms with strangers, customers, or people older than you: 'No se preocupe, no pasa nada.' If the apology was serious, a simple 'Está bien' can sound too light; add 'Te agradezco la disculpa' to show you take it seriously. Then close with 'Sigamos' or 'No hay problema' to move on.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Oye, perdón por llegar tarde.
Hey, sorry for arriving late.OH-yeh, pehr-DOHN por yeh-GAR TAR-dehEstá bien, no te preocupes.
It's okay, don't worry.eh-STAH byehn, noh teh preh-oh-KOO-pehsGracias. ¿Empezamos?
Thanks. Shall we start?GRAH-syahs. em-peh-SAH-mohsSí, sigamos.
Yes, let's move on.see, see-GAH-mohsA little context goes a long way
In much of Latin America, a quick 'No pasa nada' or 'Está bien' keeps harmony and avoids making the other person feel worse. In more formal situations, especially with older people or in professional settings, use usted: 'No se preocupe.' A very short 'Ok' can sound cold in Spanish, so adding 'no te preocupes' softens it.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Lo siento' to forgive someone, as in 'Lo siento, no te preocupes.'
Try this instead: 'Lo siento' means 'I'm sorry,' so it apologizes instead of forgiving. As the receiver, say 'Está bien, no te preocupes' or 'Te agradezco la disculpa.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1A friend says 'Perdón por el retraso.' Give an informal reply.
Show a sample answer
No te preocupes, está bien.
'No te preocupes' matches tú and reassures the friend. 'No pasa nada' is also correct.
2A client says 'Disculpe la confusión.' Give a formal reply.
Show a sample answer
No se preocupe, no pasa nada.
'No se preocupe' matches usted and is appropriate for a client. 'Está bien' could also be added.
3You want to thank someone for apologizing and close the topic. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Gracias por disculparte. Sigamos.
This acknowledges the apology and signals moving on. 'Te agradezco la disculpa' is a valid alternative.
As the receiver, forgive with 'Está bien, no te preocupes' or formal 'No se preocupe,' add 'Te agradezco la disculpa' if it was serious, then say 'Sigamos' to move on.
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