Excuse me, Pardon me

[Chip00]

Hey experts help me with a couple of things.

I know if you want to let someone know that you would like to pass by you say "permisso". Also, if you bump into somebody you can say "excuseme" or "perdoname" right?

But how about if you want to get somebodies attention to ask them a question - is it perdoname and excusame too?

Thanks

 

[windrifter]

I believe disculpe is the polite word to use to interrupt a conversation when you need to ask a question.

windrifter

 

[Mirador]

....But how about if you want to get somebodies attention to ask them a question - is it perdoname and excusame too?

Thanks

H?game el favor! tr?igame la cuenta, y un polic?a.

 

[Chip00]

H?game el favor! tr?igame la cuenta, y un polic?a.

Eso me parece igual que "y cuentame uno de vaquero"...

Honestly I get confused at times - and the wife after 7 years doesn't like answering Spanish questions. I'm going to assume that I can use both - thanks.

 

[El Tigre]

You can say permiso Chip. Permiso is excuse me.

 

[Chip00]

You can say permiso Chip. Permiso is excuse me.

Thanks Tigre. However I have noticed that most Dominicans here don't use this to politely interrrupt somebody to ask them a question - What would you say they use most: perdoname, disculpame or excusame?

 

[El Tigre]

I have noticed that most Dominicans here don't use this to politely interrrupt somebody to ask them a question

Really? That is strange. The only other way I know is by adding "con" in front of the "permiso" - con permiso. Even my cousin's children use this when I'm there when they want to interrupt an adult conversation. Or when one of my cousins wants to interrupt me.

Anyone else got anything?

 

[M.A.R.]

You are right Alex

Really? That is strange. The only other way I know is by adding "con" in front of the "permiso" - con permiso. Even my cousin's children use this when I'm there when they want to interrupt an adult conversation. Or when one of my cousins wants to interrupt me.

Anyone else got anything?

Con su permiso (con permiso), me podria ayudar a encontrar.......

Con permiso, y disculpe la interrupcion..........me podria decir donde esta......

Oiga DISCULPE, me podria ayudar a encontrar......or just DISCULPE, me...
(I hear this one more widely used in other latin countries but in the carribbean, con permiso is used more often.)

 

[MrMike]

At the risk of contaminating anyone with my probably bad habits I would suggest the following:

1) Take a close look at all these phrases and note the direct translation
2) Pick the one you would choose in English (if it were a multiple choice) in each situation.

desculpeme (unblame me, or pardon me)
perdoname (pardon me or forgive me)
con permiso (with permission)
permiteme (permit me)
oiga (listen)
hazme el favor (do me a favor)

 

[Ricardo900]

When a person is trying to pass by me and say "Permiso, por favor", I would reply, "Puedes". Is that formal or proper use??

 

[MrMike]

I say "pase", or "adelante" after stepping aside, if appropriate.

The important thing to remember is they don't want your permission, (even though they are asking for it) they want you to move the f@ck out of the way.

 

[Kyle]

i use to answer "por supuesto" which means of course but people look at me funny. is that correct ?

 

[djlawlaw]

I say "pase", or "adelante" after stepping aside, if appropriate.

The important thing to remember is they don't want your permission, (even though they are asking for it) they want you to move the f@ck out of the way.

Some how I beleive that one.

 

[yoma]

You could do this:
Person who needs to get by: Permiso
Person who's in the way: Perdon

Like "excuse me"..."oh sorry". I think this is a pretty universal exchange.

 

[2LeftFeet]

On the same line--
To get someone's attention-- I have heard---

Mira Mira!! or in a restaurant a pss and a wave. I almost fell on the floor.

Am I assuming correctly that that isn't the most polite thing to do or say? I can't bring myself to hss at a waitress to get her attention or say "mira mira".

How should you get a waitress's attention?

Permiso senorita?? Or do you say "mira mira?" To me it sounds rude. Is it?

 

[Chip00]

On the same line--
To get someone's attention-- I have heard---

Mira Mira!! or in a restaurant a pss and a wave. I almost fell on the floor.

Am I assuming correctly that that isn't the most polite thing to do or say? I can't bring myself to hss at a waitress to get her attention or say "mira mira".

How should you get a waitress's attention?

Permiso senorita?? Or do you say "mira mira?" To me it sounds rude. Is it?

It's not offensive here to "pssst" to get someones attention. Domincans think nothing of it. As far as the "Mire", this is a definitly stronger and could be offensive. It's funny, to me it seems like it's always an impatient older women that use this.

As far as what to call people, "joven" is used 99.99% of the time for the younger crowd(-35) and senor, varone, or senora, dona(very old) are used for the older crowd.

Most of the time if you say psst, joven and wave them towards you with using the "Dominican method" , i.e. the back of the hand is pointed to the sky(as opposed to the palm) with the hand folding downwardly repeadtedly you won't have any problems - in fact they might assume you are Dominican!

 

[2LeftFeet]

Gracias mi amor--jajajaja--- that's why you ask

 

[Norma Rosa]

It is fine. However, it is not formal. "T? puedes" is the familiar form, "usted puede" is formal. (You don't have to say the pronouns.)
Another expression is: "S?, como no." (Yes, why not)

 

[Kyle]

is "i'm sorry" lo siento used also ??

 

[laurapasinifan]

ok along the same line of thinking....I noticed that when my gf wants the attention of someone at a store where that person is working, she will say."jouven".....I am not sure I spelled that correctly...but it sounds just like the word for young..........


I did also notice that there is an age at which the person who you are trying to get their attention is, that she doesnt use that word any more...

but it isnt easy to differentiate to me the age difference.....even up to about 30 ish she still uses jouven...( sounds like hoven in english)

I am not sure i remember what she uses for an much older worker

bob