How to Say "to pardon" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “to pardon” is “perdonar” — A1 level. This is a very common word in everyday Spanish.
Examples
¿Puedes perdonarme por llegar tan tarde?
Can you forgive me for arriving so late?
Ella perdonó a su hermano a pesar del daño que hizo.
She forgave her brother despite the damage he caused.
El presidente tiene el poder de perdonar a los criminales.
The president has the power to pardon criminals.
Forgiving Yourself (Reflexive Use)
To say 'to forgive oneself,' you use the verb with a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, etc.). Example: 'No me perdono haber mentido' (I don't forgive myself for having lied).
Perdonar vs. Disculpar
Mistake: “Using 'Perdóname' when you only mean 'Excuse me' (e.g., passing in a crowd).”
Correction: Use 'Disculpa' or 'Con permiso' for minor inconveniences. 'Perdonar' is reserved for serious offenses or mistakes.
Related Translations
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.