B1Spanish

Thanking & Apologizing

Learn natural ways to thank, apologize, and navigate common office interactions in Spanish without sounding like a textbook.

Key Phrases

Voice
Thanking for help · 2 ways to say it

Mil gracias por echarme una mano con esto.

casual

Thanks a million for lending a hand with this.

Echar una mano is a very common colloquial phrase for helping someone out.

Te agradezco mucho tu ayuda.

neutral

I really appreciate your help.

Responding to thanks · 2 ways to say it

¡De nada! Para eso estamos.

casual

Don't mention it! That's what we're here for.

Used to reassure a colleague or friend that helping them was no burden.

No hay de qué.

neutral

Don't mention it.

Apologizing for a mistake · 3 ways to say it

¡Uy, perdona! Fue culpa mía.

casual

Oops, sorry! It was my fault.

Siento mucho lo que ha pasado.

neutral

I am very sorry about what happened.

Le pido disculpas por el error.

polite

I apologize for the mistake.

More polite — use with strangers, clients, or senior staff.

Accepting an apology · 2 ways to say it

Nada, no te preocupes, no pasa nada.

casual

It's nothing, don't worry, it's fine.

No te preocupes, con tanto estrés es normal que pase.

neutral

Don't worry, with so much stress it's normal for it to happen.

A reassuring way to accept a coworker's apology.

Asking to pass by · 2 ways to say it

Perdona, ¿me dejas pasar a por mi chaqueta?

casual

Excuse me, can I pass to get my jacket?

Casual way to ask someone to move so you can grab something.

Con permiso, ¿me deja pasar? El equipo nos espera en la otra sala.

polite

Excuse me, may I pass? The team is waiting for us in the other room.

More formal and polite, using usted to address the person.

Interrupting politely

Disculpa que te interrumpa, pero necesito preguntarte algo.

neutral

Sorry to interrupt, but I need to ask you something.

Uses the present subjunctive interrumpa, perfect for office environments.

Apologizing for being late · 2 ways to say it

Perdón por llegar tarde, había muchísimo tráfico.

casual

Sorry I'm late, there was a lot of traffic.

Siento mucho el retraso, espero no haberle causado problemas.

polite

I am very sorry for the delay, I hope I haven't caused you problems.

Polite register using the infinitive compound haber causado.

Acknowledging agreement

Vale, te espero aquí.

neutral

Okay, I'll wait for you here.

A short, natural way to agree to wait for someone.

Practice Dialogue

Project Manager
Perdona, ¿me dejas pasar a por mi chaqueta?
Designer
Sí, claro. Pasa.
Project Manager
Gracias. Oye, siento mucho lo que ha pasado con el diseño de ayer.
Designer
No te preocupes, con tanto estrés es normal que pase.
Project Manager
Bueno, es necesario que lo revisemos un poco antes de mandarlo.
Designer
Me parece bien. Mil gracias por echarme una mano con esto, de verdad.
Project Manager
¡De nada! Para eso estamos. Voy a mi oficina a buscar los documentos.
Designer
Vale, te espero aquí.

More Greetings & Socializing (B1)

← All Spanish survival phrases