Com Licença vs. Desculpa: Get Attention or Apologize in Portuguese
Choose a polite phrase to pass by someone, interrupt briefly, get attention, or apologize for a small mistake.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Com licença is a polite way to ask someone to let you pass, to enter a space, or to briefly interrupt. It works before an action, much like “excuse me.” Use it when you need room on a crowded bus or want to get past someone in a shop.
Say com licença to pass or make a small interruption
The phrase can also open a question to a stranger or colleague. Add a short request so the other person understands what you need, and use a calm tone in close spaces.
Com licença, posso passar?
Excuse me, may I get by?
Com licença, onde fica a estação?
Excuse me, where is the station?
Com licença, posso fazer uma pergunta?
Excuse me, may I ask a question?
Use desculpa or desculpe to acknowledge a mistake
Desculpa is a common informal way to say “sorry” to one person. Desculpe is a more formal or respectful form, and desculpem addresses a group. Everyday address varies, so listen to how people around you speak and choose the level of formality that fits.
A small apology can name what happened: desculpa, esbarrei em você (sorry, I bumped into you). If the mistake caused a problem, add a brief explanation or offer to fix it rather than repeating the apology without context.
Desculpa, não ouvi o que você disse.
Sorry, I didn’t hear what you said.
Desculpe pelo atraso.
I’m sorry for being late. (more formal)
Desculpem interromper a conversa.
Sorry to interrupt the conversation. (to a group)
Choose perdão for a polite repeat or apology
Perdão can mean “pardon” or “forgive me.” You may use it when you did not hear something and want the person to repeat it, or as a polite apology. It can sound more formal than casual desculpa, although tone and situation matter.
If someone is speaking softly, a friendly Você pode repetir, por favor? is often clearer than a single-word question. In a louder setting, perdão? can quickly signal that you missed the last part.
Perdão, você pode repetir o endereço?
Sorry, could you repeat the address?
Perdão, acho que peguei a sua sacola por engano.
Excuse me, I think I picked up your bag by mistake.
Perdão? Não entendi a última palavra.
Pardon? I didn’t understand the last word.
Match the phrase to the action and the relationship
Before moving through a space or interrupting, try com licença. After a small mistake, use desculpa or desculpe. When asking someone to repeat or acknowledging a more formal situation, perdão can work well. These are useful tendencies, not rigid rules for every Brazilian speaker.
For related practice, read the Real Life Portuguese guides to asking for help and polite requests. I Speak Portuguese teachers can role-play a crowded café, a meeting, and a quick repair after a misunderstanding. A short phrase plus a specific request keeps the interaction easy to follow.
Com licença, preciso sair do banco.
Excuse me, I need to get out of the seat.
Desculpa, derrubei um pouco de água.
Sorry, I spilled a little water.
Perdão, você estava falando comigo?
Pardon me, were you speaking to me?
Put it into practice
Use com licença before passing or interrupting, desculpa/desculpe after a mistake, and perdão for a polite pardon or request to repeat.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Sorry, I spilled a little water”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.