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nouninterjection

le pardon

sorry · pardon

C’est quand on excuse quelqu’un pour une erreur ou une faute.

Definition & meaning

  1. Forgiveness: The act of excusing someone for a fault, an offense, or an error. It is used in religious, legal, or personal contexts to grant release from punishment or resentment.
  2. Apology / Excuse me: Used as an interjection to express regret for a minor mistake (such as bumping into someone) or to ask someone to repeat what they just said.

Grammar & Word origin

  • Grammar: It is a masculine noun (un pardon). When used as an interjection, it functions as an invariable expression.
  • Origin: The word comes from the Old French pardon, derived from the Medieval Latin perdonare (to grant or to forgive), which is composed of the prefix per- (completely) and donare (to give).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms

  • Excuse (used for minor faults or requests)
  • Absolution (religious context)
  • Rémission (formal or legal forgiveness)
  • Clémence (mercy)

Antonyms

  • Châtiment (punishment)
  • Condamnation (condemnation)
  • Rancœur (resentment)

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Examples

Pardon, où sont les toilettes ?interjection

Sorry, where are the restrooms?

Pardon, je n'ai pas entendu.interjection

Pardon, I didn't hear you.

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