In a formal Spanish meeting, you often need to speak before the current speaker finishes. The safest way is to ask permission first. This workshop gives you three short, polite phrases and one mini-dialogue. You will hear each recorded line, learn what it means in English, and then practice saying it in realistic meeting situations. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Asking permission to speak
The most direct polite opener is a question with me permite. It means 'do you allow me?' and works with a boss, a client, or anyone you address as usted. For example, «¿Me permite agregar algo?» means 'May I add something?' You can also ask for a question with «¿Me permite una pregunta?», which means 'May I ask a question?' Both are short and formal. Use them when you want to enter the conversation without sounding rude. After the other person says yes, you can continue with your point.
Softening with podría and quisiera
If you need to correct a detail or make something clear, use a conditional verb to sound gentler. «¿Podría hacer una aclaración?» means 'Could I make a clarification?' The word podría softens the request. Another gentle option is quisiera, which means 'I would like.' «Disculpe, quisiera comentar algo.» means 'Excuse me, I would like to comment on something.' Disculpe opens the interruption politely, and quisiera makes your wish sound calm and formal. These phrases are useful when the topic is sensitive, such as a budget or a deadline.
A short meeting exchange
In this scene, speaker A is leading the meeting and speaker B wants to add a point. A asks «Antes de continuar, ¿alguna pregunta?», which means 'Before continuing, any questions?' B responds with «Disculpe, ¿me permite agregar algo?», meaning 'Excuse me, may I add something?' A gives permission with «Claro, adelante.», which means 'Of course, go ahead.' B thanks A and continues with «Gracias. Quisiera comentar algo sobre el presupuesto.», meaning 'Thank you. I would like to comment on something about the budget.' Notice how B asks permission first, waits for the answer, and then makes the comment. This order keeps the interruption polite.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
¿Me permite agregar algo?
May I add something?
meh peh-RMEE-teh ah-greh-GAR AL-goh
¿Podría hacer una aclaración?
Could I make a clarification?
poh-DREE-ah ah-SEHR oo-nah ah-klah-rah-SYOHN
Disculpe, quisiera comentar algo.
Excuse me, I would like to comment on something.
dees-KOOL-peh kee-SYEH-rah koh-mehn-TAR AL-goh
¿Me permite una pregunta?
May I ask a question?
meh peh-RMEE-teh oo-nah preh-GOON-tah
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Antes de continuar, ¿alguna pregunta?
Before continuing, any questions?Disculpe, ¿me permite agregar algo?
Excuse me, may I add something?Claro, adelante.
Of course, go ahead.Gracias. Quisiera comentar algo sobre el presupuesto.
Thank you. I would like to comment on something about the budget.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided permission exchange
You are in a formal meeting. The speaker is still talking, and you want to add a point. You address the speaker as usted.
Your task: Say the polite phrase that means 'May I add something?' Use the recording as your model. Then imagine the speaker says 'Claro, adelante.' Reply with 'Gracias' and then say the phrase that means 'I would like to comment on something.'
Choose the right polite opener
You need to interrupt in three different moments. Choose the best recorded phrase for each moment. The options are «¿Me permite agregar algo?», «¿Podría hacer una aclaración?», and «¿Me permite una pregunta?».
Your task: Moment 1: You want to add a new idea. Moment 2: You think a number in the presentation is wrong and you want to clarify it. Moment 3: You need to ask a question before the speaker continues. Say the phrase you would use for each moment.
Recall the meeting exchange
Recreate the short dialogue from the recordings. Speaker A leads the meeting. Speaker B wants to comment about the budget.
Your task: First, say speaker A's question that means 'Before continuing, any questions?' Then say speaker B's polite request that means 'Excuse me, may I add something?' Then say speaker A's reply that means 'Of course, go ahead.' Finally, say speaker B's comment that means 'Thank you. I would like to comment on something about the budget.'
Common questions
Do I always need to ask permission before speaking in a Spanish meeting?
Not always, but in a formal meeting it is a safe and polite habit. The recorded phrases «¿Me permite agregar algo?» and «¿Me permite una pregunta?» give you a simple way to enter the conversation without interrupting rudely. If the meeting is informal, you may not need them, but they are still useful to know.
What is the difference between podría and quisiera?
Both soften your request. Podría means 'could' and often introduces a question or a clarification, as in «¿Podría hacer una aclaración?». Quisiera means 'I would like' and introduces a wish or a comment, as in «Disculpe, quisiera comentar algo.». You can use either one to sound polite, but they fit slightly different moments.
Sources and further reading
- spanish: interrupting politely in meetingsChecked September 2026
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