In this workshop you will practice interrupting politely in Spanish. You will hear short recorded lines and use them to speak in realistic situations. The focus is on two useful patterns: apologizing before you interrupt, and asking permission to add something. You will also practice understanding a reply when someone gives you permission to speak. All native examples come from the recordings, so you can listen and repeat exactly what you hear. You do not need to invent new phrases; you will use the recorded lines as your model. This is active speaking practice, not just reading. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so check your own answers with the success criteria.
Apologize first, then interrupt
A polite interruption often starts with a short apology. In Spanish, you can say «Perdón, pero necesito decir algo urgente.» when the information is urgent and cannot wait. The word Perdón works like a quick sorry, and pero softens the interruption. If you want to apologize more clearly and give a reason, you can say «Perdón por interrumpir, pero es importante.». This line means you are sorry to interrupt, but the matter is important. Notice that both lines use pero to connect the apology with the reason. When you speak, keep your voice calm and not too loud. A short pause after Perdón can make the interruption sound more polite. Practice saying each line slowly, then a little faster. You can also use «Perdón por interrumpir, pero acabo de recibir un correo importante.» when you interrupt because you just received something important. This line adds acabo de recibir, which means I just received. Use it when the news is fresh and you need to speak now.
Ask permission to add something
Sometimes you do not need to interrupt with urgent news. You just want to add a comment or extra information. In that case, ask permission first. You can say «Disculpe, ¿puedo agregar algo?» with strangers, older people, or in a work meeting. This line means Excuse me, can I add something? It is polite and slightly formal. If you need a more formal option, use «¿Me permite añadir algo rápido?». This line means May I add something quickly? The verb permitir means to allow, so you are asking for permission. The word rápido means quickly, which shows you will be brief. In Spain, añadir is common; in Latin America, agregar is more frequent. Both are fine, but match the recording you hear. When you ask permission, wait for a reply before you speak. A small nod or a smile can help you sound friendly.
Understand the reply and continue
After you interrupt, the other person may give you permission to speak. In the recorded dialogue, speaker A says «Claro, dime. ¿Qué dice?». This means Of course, tell me. What does it say? The word Claro is a friendly way to say of course. Then dime means tell me, and ¿Qué dice? asks what the message says. When you hear this, you can share your information. In the same dialogue, speaker B then says «Que la fecha límite se adelantó al viernes. ¿Puedo agregar algo más?». This line means That the deadline was moved up to Friday. Can I add something else? Notice that the first part reports the news, and the second part asks permission again to add more. This is useful when you have more than one thing to say. You can also hear speaker A start a topic with «Entonces, como les decía, el proyecto sigue igual...», which means So, as I was saying, the project continues the same. This line shows that someone was already speaking before the interruption. When you hear a line like this, wait for a natural pause before you interrupt.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Perdón, pero necesito decir algo urgente.
Sorry, but I need to say something urgent.
pehr-DOHN, PEH-roh neh-seh-SEE-toh deh-SEER ahl-GOH oon oor-HEN-teh
Disculpe, ¿puedo agregar algo?
Excuse me, can I add something?
dees-KOOL-peh, PWEH-doh ah-greh-GAR AHL-goh
Perdón por interrumpir, pero es importante.
Sorry to interrupt, but it's important.
pehr-DOHN pohr een-teh-room-PEER, PEH-roh ehs eem-por-TAHN-teh
¿Me permite añadir algo rápido?
May I add something quickly?
meh per-MEE-teh ah-nyah-DEER AHL-goh RAH-pee-doh
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Entonces, como les decía, el proyecto sigue igual...
So, as I was saying, the project continues the same...Perdón por interrumpir, pero acabo de recibir un correo importante.
Sorry to interrupt, but I just received an important email.Claro, dime. ¿Qué dice?
Of course, tell me. What does it say?Que la fecha límite se adelantó al viernes. ¿Puedo agregar algo más?
That the deadline was moved up to Friday. Can I add something else?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: interrupt with urgent news
Imagine you are in a small meeting. A colleague is speaking. You have urgent news that cannot wait. You will play the person who interrupts.
Your task: Listen to the recording «Perdón, pero necesito decir algo urgente.» and repeat it aloud. Then imagine the other person stops and looks at you. Now say «Perdón por interrumpir, pero es importante.» to apologize and give your reason. Practice the two lines in order: first the urgent interruption, then the apology with reason. Say them slowly, then at a natural speed.
Reply comprehension: choose the polite permission line
You want to add a comment in a work meeting. You are not sure which line to use. You will choose between two recorded options.
Your task: Listen to «Disculpe, ¿puedo agregar algo?» and «¿Me permite añadir algo rápido?». Both are polite requests. Which recording specifically mentions adding something quickly? Answer in English, then say that full recorded request. Say the other request too and compare the meanings; the choice here is about quickly, not a rule that only one phrase works with a client.
Recall and role play: who is speaking?
In the recorded dialogue, two people speak. One person is already talking about a project. The other person interrupts with important news. You will recall who says what and then play both roles.
Your task: Listen to «Entonces, como les decía, el proyecto sigue igual...», «Perdón por interrumpir, pero acabo de recibir un correo importante.», «Claro, dime. ¿Qué dice?», and «Que la fecha límite se adelantó al viernes. ¿Puedo agregar algo más?». Speaker A says «Entonces, como les decía, el proyecto sigue igual...» and «Claro, dime. ¿Qué dice?». Speaker B says «Perdón por interrumpir, pero acabo de recibir un correo importante.» and «Que la fecha límite se adelantó al viernes. ¿Puedo agregar algo más?». First, say «Entonces, como les decía, el proyecto sigue igual...» aloud as speaker A. Then say «Perdón por interrumpir, pero acabo de recibir un correo importante.» aloud as speaker B. Next, say «Claro, dime. ¿Qué dice?» as speaker A. Finally, say «Que la fecha límite se adelantó al viernes. ¿Puedo agregar algo más?» as speaker B. Try to remember the order without looking at the lines.
Common questions
What is the difference between Perdón and Disculpe when I interrupt?
Perdón is a quick apology and works well when you need to interrupt immediately, as in «Perdón, pero necesito decir algo urgente.». Disculpe is more formal and polite, and it often comes before a permission question, as in «Disculpe, ¿puedo agregar algo?». Use Perdón for urgent moments and Disculpe when you want to be especially respectful, such as with strangers or in a formal meeting.
How do I know if I should use agregar or añadir?
Both mean to add. In the recordings, «Disculpe, ¿puedo agregar algo?» uses agregar, and «¿Me permite añadir algo rápido?» uses añadir. In Spain, añadir is more common; in Latin America, agregar is more frequent. You can use either one, but try to match the recording you are practicing with. If you are in a specific country, listen to local speakers and follow their choice.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: interrupt politelyChecked September 2026
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