Inklingo
Dictionary

perdóname

per-DOH-nah-mehpeɾˈðonaˌme

“perdóname” means “Forgive me” in Spanish (A direct request for forgiveness (informal)).

Forgive meAlso: Pardon me

VerbA1regular ar
A simple, colorful storybook illustration showing one cartoon character kneeling slightly and offering a single daisy to another character who is looking down but starting to smile, symbolizing a request for forgiveness.
infinitiveperdonar
gerundperdonando
past Participleperdonado

📝 In Action

Perdóname, no fue mi intención romper tu juguete.

A1

Forgive me, it wasn't my intention to break your toy.

¡Perdóname! No vi que estabas ahí.

A1

Pardon me! I didn't see you were there.

Necesito hablar contigo. Perdóname por llamarte tan tarde.

A2

I need to talk to you. Forgive me for calling you so late.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • discúlpame (Excuse/forgive me (informal))
  • lo siento (I'm sorry)

Common Collocations

  • te pido perdón – I ask for your forgiveness

Indicative

Present

yoperdono
túperdonas
él/ella/ustedperdona
nosotrosperdonamos
vosotrosperdonáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdonan

Imperfect

yoperdonaba
túperdonabas
él/ella/ustedperdonaba
nosotrosperdonábamos
vosotrosperdonabais
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdonaban

Preterite

yoperdoné
túperdonaste
él/ella/ustedperdonó
nosotrosperdonamos
vosotrosperdonasteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdonaron

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yoperdone
túperdones
él/ella/ustedperdone
nosotrosperdonemos
vosotrosperdonéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdonen

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoperdonara/perdonase
túperdonaras/perdonases
él/ella/ustedperdonara/perdonase
nosotrosperdonáramos/perdonásemos
vosotrosperdonarais/perdonaseis
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdonaran/perdonasen
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "perdóname" in Spanish:

pardon me

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: perdóname

Question 1 of 2

Which form should you use when apologizing to a close friend?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
perdonar(to forgive) — Verb
perdón(forgiveness; pardon) — Noun
perdóneme(Forgive me (formal)) —
🎵 Rhymes
llámamedámelo
📚 Etymology

Comes from the verb *perdonar*, which itself comes from the Latin prefix *per-* (meaning 'through' or 'completely') and *donare* (meaning 'to give'). So, the original sense is 'to completely give away' (the offense).

First recorded: The root verb *perdonar* appeared in Spanish texts around the 13th century.

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: perdonamiFrench: pardonne-moi

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Frequently Asked Questions

¿Perdóname vs. Perdóneme? What's the difference?

They both mean 'Forgive me,' but they use different levels of politeness. 'Perdóname' uses the informal 'tú' form for friends and family. 'Perdóneme' uses the formal 'usted' form for strangers, older people, or professionals.

Can I use 'Perdóname' just to get someone's attention?

Yes, absolutely! While it literally means 'Forgive me,' it is very commonly used as a polite way to say 'Excuse me' or 'Pardon me' when interrupting someone or walking past them.