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How to Say ‘Excuse me, can I tell you something?’ in Mexican Spanish

Disculpa, ¿te puedo decir algo?

dees-KOOL-pah teh Pweh-doh deh-SEER AHL-goh

[dees-KOOL-pah teh Pweh-doh deh-SEER AHL-goh]

🇲🇽 In Mexico: Asking permission first softens the approach and gives the other person an easy out, which comes across as respectful rather than pushy. Using tú with a stranger around your age is normal in Mexico in casual settings.

Phrase Breakdown

Disculpa,

dees-KOOL-pah

Excuse me,

This is the informal 'excuse me', used to politely get someone's attention. Stress the middle syllable: dis-CUL-pa.

Example

Disculpa, ¿dónde está el baño?

Excuse me, where is the bathroom?

Words in this phrase

Disculpa

[dees-KOOL-pah]

excuse me

Informal way to get someone's attention or apologize, from 'disculpar'.

Example

Disculpa, ¿está libre este lugar?

Excuse me, is this seat free?

¿te puedo decir algo?

teh Pweh-doh deh-SEER AHL-goh

can I tell you something?

This is a friendly way to open a conversation. Your voice rises at the end because it is a question.

Example

Oye, ¿te puedo decir algo?

Hey, can I tell you something?

Words in this phrase

[teh]

to you

Indirect object pronoun showing that the information is being told to you.

Example

Si quieres saber más, Te cuento sobre el equipo.

If you want to know more, I’ll tell you about the team.

puedo

[Pweh-doh]

I can

Auxiliary verb used to indicate ability, possibility, or permission.

Example

¡Puedo ayudarte si quieres!

I can help you if you want!

decir

[deh-SEER]

to tell / to say

Infinitive verb meaning to say or tell.

Example

¿Puedes decir tu nombre?

Can you say your name?

algo

[AHL-goh]

something

Indefinite pronoun meaning 'something'; refers to an unspecified thing.

Example

Busco algo que me motive más.

I’m looking for something that motivates me more.

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