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How to Say ‘Sorry, I'm late.’ in Spain Spanish

Perdona, llego tarde.

pehr-DOH-nah YEH-goh TAR-deh

[pehr-DOH-nah YEH-goh TAR-deh]

🇪🇸 In Spain: This is what you'd say to a friend on arrival. Ten or fifteen minutes late for a casual meet-up in Spain is common and rarely a big deal.

Phrase Breakdown

Perdona,

pehr-DOH-nah

Sorry,

Informal 'sorry' from 'perdonar', used with people you call 'tú'. Stress falls on 'DO': per-DO-na. Tap the 'r' once.

Example

Perdona, ¿tienes hora?

Sorry, do you have the time?

Words in this phrase

Perdona

[pehr-DOH-nah]

sorry / excuse me

Informal imperative often used to get attention politely or to apologize lightly.

Example

Perdona, prefiero ir por la avenida.

Sorry, I prefer to go by the avenue.

llego tarde.

YEH-goh TAR-deh

I'm late.

Literally 'I arrive late'. In Spain 'll' sounds like the 'y' in 'yes': YE-go TAR-de.

Example

Siempre llego tarde al trabajo.

I'm always late for work.

Words in this phrase

llego

[YEH-goh]

I arrive

First person singular present of 'llegar' (to arrive).

Example

Siempre llego a las nueve.

I always arrive at nine.

tarde

[TAR-deh]

late

Used to talk about a time that is later than desired or convenient.

Example

¿Es tarde si llego a las nueve?

Is it late if I arrive at nine?

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