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A colorful illustration showing a person gently tapping another person's shoulder to get their attention politely.

perdóneme

per-dóh-neh-meh

Verbal PhraseA1regular ar
Excuse me?Used to apologize, interrupt, or ask for passage,Pardon me?Used when bumping into someone or asking someone to repeat something
Also:Forgive me?Literal translation, used for more serious apologies

Quick Reference

infinitiveperdonar
gerundperdonando
past Participleperdonado

📝 In Action

Perdóneme, ¿puede decirme dónde está la estación de tren?

A1

Excuse me, can you tell me where the train station is?

Perdóneme, no lo vi. Fue mi culpa.

A2

Pardon me, I didn't see you. It was my fault.

Perdóneme, pero necesito interrumpirle un momento.

B1

Forgive me, but I need to interrupt you for a moment.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • disculpe (excuse me (formal))
  • lo siento (I'm sorry)

Common Collocations

  • Perdóneme la vida – Spare my life
  • Perdóneme por llegar tarde – Forgive me for being late

💡 Grammar Points

A Command and a Pronoun

This word is actually two pieces put together: 'perdone' (the formal command 'forgive') and 'me' (the pronoun 'me'). They stick together to form a single word.

Formal vs. Informal

Since this phrase uses 'perdone' (the form for 'usted'), it is formal and polite. If you are speaking to a friend, you would use 'perdóname' (the form for 'tú').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the Accent Mark

Mistake: "Perdoneme (without the accent)"

Correction: Perdóneme. When you attach a pronoun (like 'me') to a command, you often need to add an accent mark to keep the original stress of the verb ('perdone') the same.

⭐ Usage Tips

The Go-To for Interruption

Use 'Perdóneme' when you need to politely interrupt someone, ask them to move, or ask a stranger for directions. It is the safest, most respectful choice.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: perdóneme

Question 1 of 1

Which situation correctly requires the use of 'perdóneme'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

perdonar(to forgive) - verb
perdón(pardon, forgiveness) - noun
perdóname(excuse me (informal)) - verbal phrase

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'perdóneme' and 'perdóname'?

They both mean 'excuse me' or 'forgive me.' The difference is who you are talking to. 'Perdóneme' uses the formal 'usted' command, while 'perdóname' uses the informal 'tú' command. Use 'perdóneme' for strangers, elders, or professionals.

Can I just say 'Perdón'?

Yes! 'Perdón' (pardon) is a very common, short, and neutral way to say 'excuse me' or 'sorry,' especially for small offenses like needing to squeeze past someone. It is less formal than 'perdóneme' but still polite.