How to Say You're Leaving the Table Politely in Spanish
Learn beginner-friendly Latin American Spanish phrases to excuse yourself briefly during a meal or thank your host at the end, with pronunciation and usage notes.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Leaving the table is a small moment, but in Spanish it has its own polite formulas. This lesson teaches you how to step away for a moment and how to thank someone at the end of a meal. You will learn five core phrases, when to use formal or informal address, and how to respond when someone excuses themselves. All examples use broadly useful Latin American Spanish, with regional notes where usage changes.
By the end, you can…
- excuse myself briefly during a meal using a polite Spanish phrase.
- thank a host or family member at the end of a meal in Spanish.
- choose between formal and informal address when leaving the table.
- respond politely when someone else excuses themselves.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Permiso un momento.
Excuse me for a moment.
pehr-MEE-soh oon moh-MEN-toh
Very common in Latin America when you stand up briefly during a meal. It literally asks permission, so it sounds polite without being stiff.
Con permiso.
Excuse me. / May I?
kohn pehr-MEE-soh
Short and natural when squeezing past someone or stepping away from the table. In Mexico and much of Central America it is the default polite formula.
Disculpe un momento.
Excuse me for a moment.
dees-KOOL-peh oon moh-MEN-toh
A bit more formal than 'Permiso un momento.' Use it with people you address as usted, such as a boss or someone you just met.
Gracias por la comida.
Thank you for the meal.
GRAH-syahs pohr lah koh-MEE-dah
Said at the end of a meal to the person who cooked or hosted. It is warm and appropriate with family, friends, and hosts.
Muchas gracias, todo estuvo muy rico.
Thank you very much, everything was delicious.
MOO-chahs GRAH-syahs, TOH-doh ehs-TOO-boh mwee REE-koh
A fuller thank-you at the end of a meal. 'Rico' describes tasty food in most of Latin America; in parts of the Southern Cone, 'delicioso' is also common.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Most polite exits use a short permission phrase plus an optional time word. 'Permiso' or 'Con permiso' works alone; add 'un momento' to say you will return soon: 'Permiso un momento.' If you address the person formally, switch to 'Disculpe un momento.' At the end of the meal, thank the host with 'Gracias por la comida' and add a compliment if you like: 'Todo estuvo muy rico.' Notice that 'permiso' does not change with gender; it is a fixed polite noun.
When to use it
Use 'Con permiso' or 'Permiso un momento' when you stand up during the meal, for example to use the bathroom or take a call. Use 'Disculpe un momento' with someone you call usted, such as a host's parent or a work colleague. Save 'Gracias por la comida' for the end, when you are finished eating and ready to leave the table. If you are the host and someone excuses themselves, a simple 'Claro, con confianza' ('Of course, go ahead') is friendly and natural.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Permiso un momento, voy al baño.
Excuse me for a moment, I'm going to the bathroom.pehr-MEE-soh oon moh-MEN-toh, boy ahl BAH-nyohClaro, con confianza.
Of course, go ahead.KLAH-roh, kohn kohn-FYAHN-sahGracias por la comida, todo estuvo muy rico.
Thank you for the meal, everything was delicious.GRAH-syahs pohr lah koh-MEE-dah, TOH-doh ehs-TOO-boh mwee REE-koh¡Qué bueno! Gracias a ti por acompañarnos.
How nice! Thank you for joining us.keh BWEH-noh, GRAH-syahs ah tee pohr ah-kohm-pah-NYAR-nohsA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American households, meals are social and leaving the table briefly is normal, but a quick 'Permiso' or 'Con permiso' is expected before you stand up. Formal address with usted is safer with older relatives, hosts, or new acquaintances; with close friends and family, tú is normal. In Spain, '¡Que aproveche!' is said before eating, but this lesson focuses on leaving the table, where 'Permiso' and thanks still work well.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Lo siento' when you simply need to step away from the table.
Try this instead: 'Lo siento' means 'I'm sorry' and suggests something went wrong. For a normal brief exit, say 'Permiso un momento' or 'Con permiso.' Use 'Lo siento' only for a real apology, such as arriving late.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You need to step away from the table for a moment with your friend's family. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
Permiso un momento.
This is polite and natural in Latin American Spanish. 'Con permiso' also works well; both are acceptable in this friendly context.
2The meal is over and your host cooked for you. How do you thank them?
Show a sample answer
Gracias por la comida.
This directly thanks the host for the meal. You can add 'Todo estuvo muy rico' to compliment the food; both are correct.
3You are speaking to your boss at a formal lunch and must leave briefly. Which phrase fits best?
Show a sample answer
Disculpe un momento.
'Disculpe' matches formal usted address. 'Permiso un momento' is also polite, but 'Disculpe un momento' sounds more formal with a boss.
Use 'Permiso' or 'Con permiso' to step away briefly, 'Disculpe un momento' for formal situations, and 'Gracias por la comida' to thank your host at the end.
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