How to Interrupt Politely in Spanish Meetings: Formal Phrases for Adding a Point
Learn formal Latin American Spanish phrases to interrupt politely in meetings, including '¿Me permite agregar algo?' and '¿Podría hacer una aclaración?', with pronunciation and usage notes.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In a formal Spanish-language meeting, interrupting without warning can sound abrupt or disrespectful. The safest approach is to use a polite question that asks permission to speak, often with a verb like permitir, poder, or gustar. This lesson teaches five broadly useful Latin American Spanish phrases for formal interruptions, plus a short dialogue and practice. It does not cover casual interruptions with friends or family, where Spanish often uses different, more direct expressions.
By the end, you can…
- ask permission to add a point in a formal Spanish meeting.
- use polite formulas to clarify, correct, or ask a question without sounding rude.
- recognize when to soften an interruption with usted and a conditional verb.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
¿Me permite agregar algo?
May I add something?
meh peh-RMEE-teh ah-greh-GAR AL-goh
Very safe and formal. Use with a boss, client, or anyone you address as usted. In Latin America, agregar is common for 'to add' in meetings.
¿Podría hacer una aclaración?
Could I make a clarification?
poh-DREE-ah ah-SEHR oo-nah ah-klah-rah-SYOHN
Use when you want to clarify a detail or correct a misunderstanding. The conditional podría softens the request.
Disculpe, quisiera comentar algo.
Excuse me, I would like to comment on something.
dees-KOOL-peh kee-SYEH-rah koh-mehn-TAR AL-goh
Disculpe opens the interruption politely. Quisiera is a gentle 'I would like' and works well in formal settings.
¿Me permite una pregunta?
May I ask a question?
meh peh-RMEE-teh oo-nah preh-GOON-tah
Use when you need to ask something before the speaker continues. It is direct but still formal because of me permite.
Con su permiso, quiero aportar una idea.
With your permission, I want to contribute an idea.
kohn soo pehr-MEE-soh KYEH-roh ah-pohr-TAR oo-nah ee-DEH-ah
More formal and slightly deferential. Aportar means 'to contribute' and is common in professional contexts. Use it when you have a substantive idea to add.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
Most formal interruptions follow a polite permission pattern: ¿Me permite + infinitive? or ¿Podría + infinitive? For example, ¿Me permite agregar algo? and ¿Podría hacer una aclaración? You can also use quisiera + infinitive to say what you would like to do: Quisiera comentar algo. These patterns keep the focus on the action, not on demanding attention. In Latin American Spanish, usted is the default with superiors, older colleagues, and new clients, so me permite and su permiso fit naturally.
When to use it
Use these phrases when the meeting is formal, when you do not know everyone well, or when the speaker holds more authority. For example, if your manager is presenting a budget and you notice a missing figure, say Disculpe, ¿podría hacer una aclaración? If you have a new proposal, say Con su permiso, quiero aportar una idea. Avoid interrupting a speaker mid-sentence if you can wait for a pause; a polite phrase works best at a natural break. In very hierarchical settings, you may also hear ¿Me permite un momento? to ask for a brief turn.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Antes de continuar, ¿alguna pregunta?
Before continuing, any questions?AHN-tehs deh kohn-tee-NWAHR al-GOO-nah preh-GOON-tahDisculpe, ¿me permite agregar algo?
Excuse me, may I add something?dees-KOOL-peh meh peh-RMEE-teh ah-greh-GAR AL-gohClaro, adelante.
Of course, go ahead.KLAH-roh ah-deh-LAHN-tehGracias. Quisiera comentar algo sobre el presupuesto.
Thank you. I would like to comment on something about the budget.GRAH-syahs kee-SYEH-rah koh-mehn-TAR AL-goh SOH-breh el preh-soo-PWEHS-tohA little context goes a long way
In many Latin American workplaces, formality depends on hierarchy and familiarity. Usted and phrases like ¿me permite? are common with bosses, clients, and older colleagues, while tú may appear among close peers. When in doubt, start formal; the other person may invite you to use tú. Also, a brief Disculpe before your request is usually enough; you do not need a long apology.
One thing to watch for
Using a direct command like Óigame, quiero decir algo to interrupt in a formal meeting.
Try this instead: Óigame can sound demanding. Instead, use a permission question: ¿Me permite agregar algo? or Disculpe, quisiera comentar algo. These keep the interruption polite and give the speaker control.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You want to add a point in a formal meeting with a client. What is a polite phrase?
Show a sample answer
¿Me permite agregar algo?
This uses me permite plus the infinitive agregar, which politely asks permission. ¿Podría agregar algo? is also valid and slightly softer.
2You need to clarify a figure the speaker mentioned. Which phrase fits best?
Show a sample answer
¿Podría hacer una aclaración?
Aclaración means 'clarification,' and podría softens the request. ¿Me permite una aclaración? is another correct option.
3You have a new idea and want to contribute it formally. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
Con su permiso, quiero aportar una idea.
This is deferential and uses aportar, 'to contribute.' Quisiera aportar una idea is also acceptable and slightly more indirect.
In formal Spanish meetings, interrupt with a permission question, not a command: ¿Me permite agregar algo? or ¿Podría hacer una aclaración? Keep usted and a brief Disculpe, and wait for a natural pause.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Spanish into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr