pardon
/pɑrˈdɔn/
The Dutch phrase for "excuse me" is pardon.
pardon is a formal and polite way to ask for attention or apologize for a minor inconvenience.
Meaning: sorry, as apology (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pardon is used to get attention, the English loanword Sorry is very commonly used in Dutch for a quick, informal apology.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɑrˈdɔn/
Did you know?
- Because Dutch culture values directness, using too many apologies like pardon or 'sorry' can sometimes be perceived as being less confident or decisive than a simple, direct request.
- When a Dutch speaker says pardon? with a rising intonation, it functions exactly like 'what?' or 'come again?' rather than an apology.
- The word pardon is borrowed from French.
Examples in context
- Pardon. Hoe heet je?Excuse me. What's your name?This sentence shows how to use pardon when starting a conversation.Tatoeba #9512818 by Nylez, translation #933745 by CK
- Pardon, ik ben verdwaald.Excuse me, I'm lost.This sentence shows how to use pardon when explaining that you are lost.Tatoeba #377823 by Dorenda, translation #51482 by autuno
- Pardon, ik heb een vraag.Excuse me, I have a question.This sentence shows how to use pardon when you want to ask a question.Tatoeba #4981003 by Akem_20, translation #1445889 by johnd
- Excuseer me, kunt u mij alstublieft helpen?Excuse me, could you please help me?
- Hé, mag ik even iets vragen?Hey, can I ask you something?
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia accidentally bumps into Daan in a supermarket.
- JuliaPardon, ik zag je niet staan.Sorry, I didn't see you standing there.
- DaanGeeft niets, dat kan gebeuren.No worries, it happens.
- JuliaNogmaals pardon voor het ongemak.Sorry again for the inconvenience.
- DaanMaakt niet uit, Julia.It doesn't matter, Julia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pardon, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pardon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
