What does it mean word for word?
Literally, perdón por la tardanza translates to 'pardon for the lateness'.
Which one should you use?
You may also say perdón por llegar tarde, which means 'sorry for arriving late'. While perdón por la tardanza uses a noun (the lateness), perdón por llegar tarde uses a verb (arriving late). Both are common and interchangeable.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal or professional contexts, you can use Disculpe la tardanza (Please excuse the delay), Lamento mucho la demora (I deeply regret the delay), Pido disculpas por la tardanza (I apologize for the delay) or Disculpa la demora / Disculpe la demora (apologies for the delay). In more casual settings, you might use Perdón por el retraso (Sorry for the delay).
Is it said differently in some regions?
Different regions have specific preferences: in Spain, you may hear Perdona por el retraso (Forgive me for the delay). In Mexico, Lo siento por el retraso is used (I'm sorry for the delay). And in Argentina, Disculpá la demora is common (Excuse the delay).
How does it change in a sentence?
When using a verb after por to express the reason for an apology, the verb must be in the infinitive form, such as llegar in the phrase perdón por llegar tarde.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾdon poɾ la taɾdanθa/
Did you know?
- The word perdón shares a distant ancestor with the English word 'doom', both tracing back to roots involving the concept of a judgment or a fixed ordinance.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, being slightly late to a social event is often expected and not considered a cause for a formal apology.
- While perdón is used for being late, the word disculpa is often used when you are interrupting someone or need to pass through a crowd.
Examples in context
- Gracias, perdón por la tardanza.Thanks, sorry for being late.This example shows how to use perdón por la tardanza after a thank you.Tatoeba #2472427 by wallebot, translation #7803153 by sharris123
- Perdón por la tardanza, había mucho tráfico.Sorry for being late, there was a lot of traffic.
Example conversation
Alejandro is waiting for María at a cafe.
- MaríaHola, Alejandro. Perdón por la tardanza.Hi, Alejandro. Sorry for being late.
- AlejandroNo te preocupes, María. Yo también acabo de llegar.Don't worry, María. I just arrived too.
- María¿Me perdonas por la tardanza?Do you forgive me for being late?
- AlejandroClaro que sí, no pasa nada.Of course, it's no problem.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, perdón, por, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
