馃嚙馃嚪 Portuguese phrases

How to Say "I'm sorry" in Portuguese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Desculpe
"I'm sorry" in Portuguese 路 say it like des-kool-peh

The most natural way to say "I'm sorry" in Portuguese is Desculpe. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Sinto muito
more formal, often used for serious situations
Desculpa
more casual, used among friends

When to use it

Use 'desculpe' when you want to apologize for a mistake or inconvenience. It is appropriate in both formal and informal settings. You can use 'sinto muito' for more serious apologies, while 'desculpa' is suitable for casual conversations.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "I'm sorry" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Portuguese

PortugueseEnglish
Desculpe pelo atraso.I'm sorry for the delay.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 'desculpe' with 'desculpa', not realizing that 'desculpe' is more formal.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Desculpe, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Portuguese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

When should I use 'sinto muito' instead of 'desculpe'?

'Sinto muito' is used for more serious situations, like expressing sympathy or regret for someone's loss.

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