pardon
word
/ˈpɑɹdən/
PAR-duhn
/pˈɑːdən/
PAH-duhn
Definition
'Pardon' is a polite way to ask someone to repeat what they said, or to apologize for something you did. It can also mean officially forgiving someone for a crime.
Usage & Nuances
'Pardon' is formal or polite, common in British English to ask someone to repeat. In American English, 'excuse me' is more usual. As a noun, 'a pardon' is used legally for forgiveness of crimes. In casual situations, 'sorry' or 'excuse me' are preferred over 'pardon'.
Spanish: perdón - disculpaPortuguese (BR): perdão - desculpaPortuguese (PT): perdão - desculpaChinese (Simplified): 请原谅 - 对不起Chinese (Traditional): 請原諒 - 對不起Hindi: माफ़ कीजिए - क्षमा करेंArabic: عذرًا - سامحنيBengali: মাফ - ক্ষমা (আইনি অর্থে) - দুঃখিত (আচারিক কথোপকথনে)Russian: прощение - извините (вежливый запрос повторить) - помилование (юридически)Japanese: ごめんなさい - 失礼ですが（聞き返すとき） - 恩赦（法律用語）Vietnamese: xin lỗi - tha thứ (pháp lý) - thứ lỗi (lịch sự)Korean: 실례 - 용서 - 사면 (법률적)Turkish: af - bağışlama (resmî/adalet anlamı) - affedersiniz (nazikçe tekrar sormak)Urdu: معاف کرنا - معافی (قانونی)Indonesian: maaf - amnesti (hukum) - permisi (sopan saat tidak dengar)
Example Sentences
Pardon? I didn't hear what you said.
basic
She asked for a pardon for her mistake.
basic
The president granted him a full pardon.
basic
Could you say that again? Pardon.
natural
Oh, pardon me! I stepped on your foot.
natural
He was lucky to receive a pardon after so many years in prison.
natural