En 15 segundos
- A polite way to say sorry for small to medium mistakes.
- More formal and sincere than the common word 'desculpa'.
- Works as a standalone 'pardon me' in public spaces.
Significado
It is a polite way to say 'sorry' or 'pardon me' when you make a mistake or need to get past someone. It sounds a bit more elegant and sincere than a quick 'my bad.'
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Bumping into a stranger on the subway
Perdão, o trem balançou!
Pardon me, the train swayed!
Interrupting a professor during a lecture
Perdão, professor, pode repetir?
Pardon me, professor, can you repeat that?
Late for a business meeting
Peço perdão pelo atraso, o trânsito estava terrível.
I ask for pardon for the delay, traffic was terrible.
Contexto cultural
In Brazil, 'Perdão' is often seen as a sign of 'finesse'. If you use it instead of the common 'desculpa', people will perceive you as very well-educated and respectful. In Portugal, 'Perdão' is the standard way to ask a waiter or shopkeeper to repeat themselves. It is less 'heavy' than in Brazil and more functional. In Angolan Portuguese, formal address is highly valued. 'Perdão' is frequently used in public administration and formal social gatherings to maintain decorum. Similar to other African Lusophone countries, 'Perdão' is used to show deep respect for elders. It is often accompanied by a slight lowering of the head.
The 'Rising' Perdão
Say 'Perdão?' with a rising pitch to ask someone to repeat themselves. It's much more polite than saying 'O quê?' (What?).
Don't Overuse It
If you say 'Perdão' for every tiny thing, you might sound a bit too stiff or anxious. Mix it up with 'Desculpa' for very minor things.
En 15 segundos
- A polite way to say sorry for small to medium mistakes.
- More formal and sincere than the common word 'desculpa'.
- Works as a standalone 'pardon me' in public spaces.
What It Means
Perdão is your go-to word for seeking forgiveness. It translates directly to 'pardon' or 'forgiveness'. Think of it as the classy sibling of desculpa. It carries a bit more weight and sincerity. When you say it, you are acknowledging a slip-up. It shows you value the other person's feelings. It is simple, direct, and very effective.
How To Use It
Using it is incredibly easy. You can use it as a standalone exclamation. If you bump into someone, just say Perdão!. You can also use it to start a sentence. Try Perdão, não vi você aí. It works perfectly in both speech and writing. It does not change based on who you talk to. It is a linguistic 'get out of jail free' card. Just deliver it with a small, apologetic smile.
When To Use It
Use it when you accidentally step on a toe. It is great for interrupting a conversation politely. Use it at a restaurant if you drop a fork. It is perfect for professional emails when you miss a deadline. If you sneeze loudly in a quiet library, perdão is your best friend. It also works when you didn't hear someone clearly. It sounds much better than a blunt 'What?'.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for major life betrayals. If you crash your friend's car, perdão is too small. In those cases, you need a long conversation and maybe cake. Avoid using it sarcastically unless you want to start a fight. It is not a replacement for 'excuse me' when entering a room. For that, use com licença. Don't use it if you aren't actually sorry. Brazilians can spot a fake apology from a mile away.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value politeness and 'good manners'. Perdão has a slightly religious or old-school root. This gives it a touch of grace and humility. In Brazil, people are generally warm and forgiving. Saying perdão bridges the gap between strangers quickly. It reflects a culture that prefers harmony over confrontation. It is a small word that carries a lot of social 'grease'.
Common Variations
Me perdoe is a slightly more personal version. It literally means 'forgive me'. You might hear mil perdões for 'a thousand pardons'. This is great when you are extra clumsy. In Portugal, you might hear peço perdão more often. It means 'I ask for pardon'. In casual settings, people often shorten things. But perdão stays remarkably consistent across the Portuguese-speaking world.
Notas de uso
The phrase sits in a 'sweet spot' of neutrality. It is never too formal for a friend, but never too casual for a boss. It is a safe, high-utility word for any learner.
The 'Rising' Perdão
Say 'Perdão?' with a rising pitch to ask someone to repeat themselves. It's much more polite than saying 'O quê?' (What?).
Don't Overuse It
If you say 'Perdão' for every tiny thing, you might sound a bit too stiff or anxious. Mix it up with 'Desculpa' for very minor things.
Body Language
In Portuguese-speaking cultures, a small nod of the head or a hand on the chest while saying 'Perdão' adds a layer of sincerity.
Email Etiquette
Use 'Perdão' in professional emails to acknowledge a small error. It shows you take your work seriously.
Ejemplos
6Perdão, o trem balançou!
Pardon me, the train swayed!
A classic way to apologize for physical clumsiness.
Perdão, professor, pode repetir?
Pardon me, professor, can you repeat that?
Very respectful way to ask for clarification.
Peço perdão pelo atraso, o trânsito estava terrível.
I ask for pardon for the delay, traffic was terrible.
The 'peço' prefix adds a layer of professional formality.
Ai meu Deus, mil perdões!
Oh my God, a thousand pardons!
Using 'mil' (thousand) shows you feel really bad.
Perdão pela demora, esqueci o celular em casa!
Sorry for the delay, I left my phone at home!
Common and polite in digital messaging.
Perdão, eu falo demais quando estou animado.
Pardon me, I talk too much when I am excited.
Self-aware and charming use of the phrase.
Ponte a prueba
You accidentally step on someone's foot in a museum. What is the most polite thing to say?
Você pisa no pé de alguém no museu. O que você diz?
In a formal/neutral setting like a museum, 'Perdão' is the most appropriate and polite response for a physical accident.
Fill in the blank to ask for a thousand pardons.
____ perdões pelo meu erro.
The common expression for a deep but polite apology is 'Mil perdões' (A thousand pardons).
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
1. Perdão? 2. Com licença. 3. Sinto muito.
Perdão is for clarification, Com licença is for permission to pass, and Sinto muito is for sympathy.
Complete the dialogue in a formal office setting.
Chefe: 'Você trouxe o relatório?' Você: '____, eu esqueci na minha mesa.'
When speaking to a boss (Chefe), 'Perdão' is the appropriate formal way to apologize for a mistake.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Perdão vs. Desculpa vs. Com Licença
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosVocê pisa no pé de alguém no museu. O que você diz?
In a formal/neutral setting like a museum, 'Perdão' is the most appropriate and polite response for a physical accident.
____ perdões pelo meu erro.
The common expression for a deep but polite apology is 'Mil perdões' (A thousand pardons).
1. Perdão? 2. Com licença. 3. Sinto muito.
Perdão is for clarification, Com licença is for permission to pass, and Sinto muito is for sympathy.
Chefe: 'Você trouxe o relatório?' Você: '____, eu esqueci na minha mesa.'
When speaking to a boss (Chefe), 'Perdão' is the appropriate formal way to apologize for a mistake.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
12 preguntasYes, 'Perdão' is generally considered more formal and elegant. 'Desculpa' is the standard, everyday word.
Absolutely. While 'Desculpa' is more common, 'Perdão' is used frequently in cities and formal contexts.
It's a nasal sound. Try saying 'wow' but pinch your nose halfway through. That nasal vibration is key.
'Perdão' is for after an accident; 'Com licença' is for asking permission to do something (like passing by).
Not at all! It's a common way to show you are truly sorry for a clumsy mistake, like spilling a drink.
You can, but it might sound a bit formal or even funny/sarcastic depending on the vibe.
Yes, as a noun it means 'forgiveness'. As an interjection, it means 'Pardon me'.
Yes, it's the most polite way to ask for repetition in both Brazil and Portugal.
In Brazil, the slang version is 'Foi mal'.
Yes, very much so. It's often used for clarification in shops and restaurants.
Yes, it is the primary word used for 'forgiveness' in prayers and religious services.
You say 'Peço-lhe perdão' or 'Peço seu perdão'.
Frases relacionadas
Desculpa
synonymSorry
Com licença
similarExcuse me
Sinto muito
similarI'm very sorry
Foi mal
slangMy bad
Peço desculpas
specialized formI offer apologies
Escuse-me
contrastExcuse me
