En 15 secondes
- A sincere way to ask for forgiveness for mistakes.
- Stronger and more emotional than a simple 'sorry'.
- Used in both personal and professional serious apologies.
Signification
This is a sincere way to say 'forgive me' or 'pardon me' when you've made a mistake or need to apologize deeply.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Forgetting an anniversary
Me perdoe, eu esqueci completamente o nosso jantar.
Forgive me, I completely forgot our dinner.
Making a mistake at work
Me perdoe pelo erro no relatório, vou consertar agora.
Forgive me for the error in the report, I will fix it now.
Accidentally breaking something
Me perdoe! Eu não queria quebrar seu vaso favorito.
Forgive me! I didn't mean to break your favorite vase.
Contexte culturel
Brazilians are generally very apologetic to maintain social harmony (simpatia). 'Me perdoe' is often accompanied by a touch on the arm or a sincere look to show 'calor humano'. In Portugal, 'Perdoe-me' is more formal and less common than 'Peço desculpa'. Using 'Perdoe-me' for something small might be seen as sarcastic or overly dramatic. Angolan Portuguese often retains a high level of formality in professional settings. 'Me perdoe' is used with great respect toward elders and authorities. Similar to other Lusophone African countries, the collective and the hierarchy are important. Apologizing with 'Me perdoe' is a way to restore balance to the community.
The 'Viu' trick
In Brazil, add 'viu?' at the end ('Me perdoe, viu?') to make the apology sound warmer and more conversational.
Don't over-apologize
Using 'Me perdoe' too much for small things can make you seem insecure or insincere.
En 15 secondes
- A sincere way to ask for forgiveness for mistakes.
- Stronger and more emotional than a simple 'sorry'.
- Used in both personal and professional serious apologies.
What It Means
Me perdoe is your go-to phrase for seeking genuine forgiveness. It comes from the verb perdoar. It is stronger than a simple desculpe. Think of it as the difference between 'sorry' and 'please forgive me'. It carries a weight of sincerity and humility. You use it when you truly regret an action.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone sentence. You can also add what you are sorry for. For example, Me perdoe por me atrasar. It works well in both speech and writing. In Brazil, the me usually comes before the verb in conversation. In Portugal, you might hear perdoe-me more often. It is a versatile tool for social repair.
When To Use It
Use it when you have genuinely messed up. Use it if you forgot a close friend's birthday. Use it if you accidentally offended a colleague. It is perfect for emotional moments. It also works in formal letters to show respect. If you spill wine on someone's white carpet, this is the phrase. It shows you recognize the gravity of the situation.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small, trivial things. If you bump into someone on the bus, use licença or desculpe. Using me perdoe for a tiny sneeze feels too dramatic. Avoid it if you aren't actually sorry. Brazilians value warmth and can spot a fake apology. It is not for 'excuse me' when asking for directions. Keep it for moments that require a bit of heart.
Cultural Background
Brazilian culture is deeply rooted in personal connections and social harmony. Asking for forgiveness is seen as a sign of character. There is a religious undertone to the word perdão, but it is used secularly. It reflects a culture that prefers reconciliation over holding long grudges. It is about clearing the air to keep the friendship flowing. A sincere apology can often end with a hug or a pat on the back.
Common Variations
You will often hear me desculpa for everyday mistakes. Peço perdão is the most formal version, almost poetic. In the south of Brazil, people might just say perdão. If you are talking to more than one person, use me perdoem. For a very casual vibe with friends, foi mal is the slang equivalent. Each variation adjusts the 'temperature' of your apology.
Notes d'usage
In Brazil, placing 'me' before the verb is the standard for spoken language. It is neutral enough for friends, family, and bosses.
The 'Viu' trick
In Brazil, add 'viu?' at the end ('Me perdoe, viu?') to make the apology sound warmer and more conversational.
Don't over-apologize
Using 'Me perdoe' too much for small things can make you seem insecure or insincere.
Eye Contact
In Brazil, look the person in the eye when saying this. Looking away can seem like you don't mean it.
Formal Writing
In emails, use 'Peço desculpas' or 'Peço perdão' instead of 'Me perdoe' for a more professional tone.
Exemples
6Me perdoe, eu esqueci completamente o nosso jantar.
Forgive me, I completely forgot our dinner.
Shows deep regret for a personal oversight.
Me perdoe pelo erro no relatório, vou consertar agora.
Forgive me for the error in the report, I will fix it now.
Professional yet humble acknowledgment of a fault.
Me perdoe! Eu não queria quebrar seu vaso favorito.
Forgive me! I didn't mean to break your favorite vase.
Expresses immediate shock and apology.
Me perdoe pela demora, o dia foi uma loucura!
Forgive me for the delay, the day was crazy!
A bit dramatic but common among close friends.
Me perdoe a interrupção, mas isso é urgente.
Forgive the interruption, but this is urgent.
A polite way to break into a discussion.
Me perdoe por ser tão lindo hoje!
Forgive me for being so handsome today!
A playful, arrogant joke among friends.
Teste-toi
Choose the best phrase for breaking a friend's favorite vase.
Você quebrou o vaso favorito da sua amiga. O que você diz?
Breaking a favorite item is a serious emotional mistake, requiring 'Me perdoe'.
Complete the sentence with the correct contraction (por + o).
Me perdoe ____ erro que eu cometi.
'Erro' is masculine, so 'por' + 'o' = 'pelo'.
Match the apology to the situation.
1. Bumped into someone on the bus. 2. Forgot your mother's birthday. 3. Want to ask a question in a meeting.
Desculpe is for minor accidents, Me perdoe is for emotional weight, and 'a interrupção' is for formal settings.
Fill in the missing line in this formal dialogue.
A: Você não entregou o projeto no prazo. B: __________, tive um problema pessoal.
A professional failure requires a formal apology like 'Me perdoe'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Apology Levels in Portuguese
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVocê quebrou o vaso favorito da sua amiga. O que você diz?
Breaking a favorite item is a serious emotional mistake, requiring 'Me perdoe'.
Me perdoe ____ erro que eu cometi.
'Erro' is masculine, so 'por' + 'o' = 'pelo'.
1. Bumped into someone on the bus. 2. Forgot your mother's birthday. 3. Want to ask a question in a meeting.
Desculpe is for minor accidents, Me perdoe is for emotional weight, and 'a interrupção' is for formal settings.
A: Você não entregou o projeto no prazo. B: __________, tive um problema pessoal.
A professional failure requires a formal apology like 'Me perdoe'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questions'Me desculpe' is for general mistakes (spilling water). 'Me perdoe' is for deep, emotional, or serious mistakes (betraying trust).
Yes, but it sounds very formal or like it's from a movie/book. 'Me perdoe' is the natural choice.
It has religious roots, but it is used by everyone in secular life for any serious apology.
You can say 'Eu te perdoo' (I forgive you), 'Não foi nada' (It was nothing), or 'Tudo bem' (It's okay).
Yes, 'Me perdoa' is the informal 'tu' form. Use it with close friends and family.
It's a set phrase used to politely break into a conversation or meeting.
Yes, if you make a mistake or need to clarify something you said earlier.
No, you can say 'Eu perdoo você' (I forgive you) or 'Ele perdoou o erro' (He forgave the error).
Always 'Me perdoe por'.
Yes, but they usually say 'Perdoe-me' or 'Peço desculpa'.
Expressions liées
Sinto muito
similarI am very sorry / I feel it much
Desculpe
similarSorry / Excuse me
Peço perdão
specialized formI beg your pardon
Foi mal
informalMy bad
Mil desculpas
builds onA thousand apologies
