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How to Say ‘I'm sorry, she's not in.’ in Mexican Spanish

Lo siento, no se encuentra.

loh SYEN-toh noh seh en-KWEN-trah

[loh SYEN-toh noh seh en-KWEN-trah]

🇲🇽 In Mexico: Mexican offices often use this even when the person is in but busy or in a meeting. Take it as your cue to leave a message rather than pushing for details.

Phrase Breakdown

Lo siento,

loh SYEN-toh

I'm sorry,

This is a common apology. Stress 'SYEN' in 'SYEN-to'.

Example

Lo siento, no entiendo.

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

Words in this phrase

[loh]

Direct object pronoun for an object or a situation.

Example

Lo vi ayer.

I saw it yesterday.

siento

[SYEN-toh]

I feel (it) / I'm sorry

From 'sentir' (to feel); with 'lo' it forms the standard apology.

Example

Lo siento, llegué tarde.

I'm sorry, I arrived late.

no se encuentra.

noh seh en-KWEN-trah

she/he isn't in.

This is the formal phrase for 'not available'. Your voice falls at the end.

Example

El doctor no se encuentra.

The doctor isn't in.

Words in this phrase

[noh]

not

Used to make a word or group of words negative.

Example

No voy a ir.

I am not going.

[seh]

(reflexive particle)

Reflexive pronoun used with 'encontrarse' meaning to be somewhere.

Example

El director se encuentra en junta.

The director is in a meeting.

encuentra

[en-KWEN-trah]

is (present/in)

With 'se', 'encontrarse' politely means to be in or available.

Example

¿Se encuentra el señor López?

Is Mr. López in?

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