perdono
/perˈdo.no/
The English phrase 'pardon' can be translated into Italian as perdono.
perdono is used as an interjection or a noun to mean a pardon or forgiveness. It is often part of the phrase chiedere perdono, which means to ask for forgiveness.
Meaning: interjection, request to repeat (intj)
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the act of asking for pardon or forgiveness, use the verb chiedere (to ask) together with perdono.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /perˈdo.no/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes use perdono as a direct equivalent to the English interjection 'Pardon?' when asking someone to repeat themselves. In Italian, this sounds overly dramatic or archaic. It is much more natural to use Come? or Mi scusi? instead.
Did you know?
- While perdono is a noun, the act of forgiving is expressed by the verb perdonare, which literally means 'to give a gift' through the Latin root 'donare'.
- Italians often use scusi instead of perdono when bumping into a stranger, as perdono implies a moral failing rather than a social accident.
- If you want to say 'Pardon?' because you did not hear someone, saying perdono will make people think you are asking for a divine absolution for a great sin.
Examples in context
- Chiese il mio perdono.He asked for my pardon.This sentence shows the use of the noun perdono.Tatoeba #4044337 by Guybrush88, translation #297595 by CK
- Vi supplico perdono, mio signore. Non è ebraico, ma latino.I beg you pardon, milord. It's not Hebrew, but Latin.This sentence illustrates a formal plea for perdono.Tatoeba #3485008 by Guybrush88, translation #3381816 by Scott
- Tom di solito dice "Chiedo perdono per il mio francese" ogniqualvolta giura.Tom usually says "Pardon my French" whenever he swears.This sentence uses perdono in the context of the English idiom 'Pardon my French'.Tatoeba #1113233 by riccioberto, translation #1040534 by CK
- Mi scusi, potrebbe ripetere quello che ha detto?Pardon me, could you repeat what you said?
- Mi perdoni, ho sbagliato ad interpretare la situazione.Please forgive me, I misunderstood the situation.
- Scusa, non ho capito quello che hai detto.Sorry, I didn't understand what you said.
- Sono spiacente, non volevo offenderti.I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Lorenzo are talking in a noisy cafe.
- ChiaraAndiamo al cinema stasera?Shall we go to the cinema tonight?
- LorenzoPerdono? Non ho sentito bene.Pardon? I didn't hear you well.
- ChiaraHo chiesto se vuoi andare al cinema.I asked if you want to go to the cinema.
- LorenzoSì, volentieri, Lorenzo ci accompagna!Yes, I'd love to, Lorenzo will join us!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry perdono, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
