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Interrupting Without Being Rude
Public
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October 20, 2026
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A discussion about Friday dinner brings together polite interruptions, acknowledgments, and ways to let others continue. Sam, Mia, and a coworker share ideas about where and when to eat. Brief apologies and permission questions soften interruptions, while closing phrases give the conversation back.
Voca cards
1.
Excuse me
Disculpa, Perdón
Excuse me, Sam, are we still meeting for dinner on Friday?
Disculpa, Sam, ¿sigue en pie lo de cenar el viernes?
Use a gentle tone; 'Excuse me' can sound impatient when said sharply.
2.
Sorry to interrupt
Perdón por interrumpir
Sorry to interrupt, Mia, but what time does the restaurant open?
Perdón por interrumpir, Mia, pero ¿a qué hora abre el restaurante?
Usually followed immediately by your question or comment, rather than a long apology.
3.
Just one quick question
Solo una pregunta rápida
Just one quick question, Sam: are we eating inside or outside?
Solo una pregunta rápida, Sam: ¿vamos a comer adentro o afuera?
'Quick' signals that you will not take much time, so keep your question brief.
4.
Please go on
Sigue, por favor
Please go on, Mia, and tell me about the food.
Sigue, por favor, Mia, y cuéntame sobre la comida.
'Please go on' invites someone who was already speaking to continue, rather than introducing a new speaker.
5.
Go ahead
Adelante
Go ahead, Sam, and tell us why you like that place.
Adelante, Sam, cuéntanos por qué te gusta ese lugar.
'Go ahead' can invite either a new speaker or someone you interrupted to speak.
6.
That's a good point
Es un buen punto
That's a good point about choosing somewhere near the office, Mia.
Es un buen punto lo de elegir un lugar cerca de la oficina, Mia.
Acknowledges one useful idea without necessarily agreeing with everything the person has said.
7.
I see what you mean
Entiendo lo que dices
I see what you mean, Sam; parking there could be a problem.
Entiendo lo que dices, Sam; estacionarse ahí podría ser un problema.
'I see what you mean' shows understanding, not necessarily agreement.
8.
Can I ask something
¿Puedo preguntar algo?
Can I ask something, Mia, about the menu?
¿Puedo preguntarte algo sobre el menú, Mia?
9.
Can I add something
¿Puedo agregar algo?
Can I add something about the food, since I've eaten there?
¿Puedo agregar algo sobre la comida, ya que he comido ahí?
10.
Can I jump in
¿Puedo intervenir?
Can I jump in, Sam, before we choose a place?
¿Puedo intervenir, Sam, antes de que elijamos un lugar?
'Jump in' is informal and works well in friendly conversations and many workplace discussions.
11.
Sorry to jump in
Perdón por interrumpir
Sorry to jump in, but I can't get there before seven.
Perdón por interrumpir, pero no puedo llegar antes de las siete.
The apology softens an interruption when you start speaking without first asking permission.
12.
Could I add one thing
¿Podría agregar una cosa?
Could I add one thing about how we're getting there?
¿Podría agregar una cosa sobre cómo vamos a llegar?
'One thing' suggests a brief contribution, so avoid adding several unrelated points.
13.
Could I stop you there for a second
¿Te puedo interrumpir un segundo?
Could I stop you there for a second, Sam, to check the price?
¿Te puedo interrumpir un segundo, Sam, para confirmar el precio?
'There' refers to the speaker's current point, not a physical place.
14.
If I may add something
Si me permiten agregar algo
If I may add something, that price doesn't include drinks.
Si me permiten agregar algo, ese precio no incluye las bebidas.
More formal than 'Can I add something'; usually followed by your point without waiting for permission.
15.
Do you mind if I jump in
¿Les molesta si intervengo?
Do you mind if I jump in with a cheaper dinner idea?
¿Les molesta si intervengo con una idea más económica para la cena?
Reply with 'Not at all' or 'Go ahead' to allow the interruption; a plain 'Yes' can suggest an objection.
16.
Could I say something here
¿Podría comentar algo?
Could I say something here about the place across the street?
¿Podría comentar algo sobre el lugar de enfrente?
'Here' means at this point in the discussion, not necessarily in this physical place.
17.
Could we pause for a moment
¿Podemos hacer una pausa?
Could we pause for a moment while I check their hours?
¿Podemos hacer una pausa mientras reviso el horario del restaurante?
'We' makes the pause sound like a shared step rather than an order for someone else to stop.
18.
Let me make sure I understand
Déjame asegurarme de que entendí
Let me make sure I understand: we're meeting there at seven, right?
Déjame asegurarme de que entendí: nos vemos ahí a las siete, ¿verdad?
Useful before repeating a point in your own words, especially when you want to avoid sounding critical.
19.
I don't mean to interrupt
No quiero interrumpir
I don't mean to interrupt, but that place is closed on Fridays.
No quiero interrumpir, pero ese lugar está cerrado los viernes.
Often introduces an interruption anyway; a gentle tone helps the apology sound sincere.
20.
May I offer a different view
¿Me permiten ofrecer otro punto de vista?
May I offer a different view on staying so close to the office?
¿Me permiten ofrecer otro punto de vista sobre la idea de quedarnos tan cerca de la oficina?
'May I' sounds more formal than 'Can I' and suits meetings or careful disagreements.
21.
What were you saying
¿Qué decías?
What were you saying, Mia, about the place near your house?
¿Qué decías, Mia, sobre el lugar cerca de tu casa?
Invites someone to continue where they stopped, rather than start the whole explanation again.
22.
I didn't mean to cut you off
No quería interrumpirte
I didn't mean to cut you off, Sam, while you were explaining the price.
No quería interrumpirte, Sam, mientras explicabas lo del precio.
'Cut someone off' means stopping them before they finish; this apology comes after the interruption.
23.
I'll let you get back to your point
Te dejo retomar lo que decías
I'll let you get back to your point about sharing a ride, Mia.
Te dejo retomar lo que decías sobre ir juntos en un solo auto, Mia.