pardon

Definitions

per- (thoroughly) + don (give, from donare) = to 'give completely.' To pardon is to give so fully that a debt, an offense, or a sentence is wiped clean — you hand over total forgiveness and ask for nothing back.

Why It Means This

Pardon entered English through Old French pardoner, and the 'give thoroughly' logic explains its three everyday faces: the courteous 'Pardon me' (give me your forgiveness for this small intrusion), the polite 'Pardon?' (forgive me, please give that again — say it once more), and the legal pardon, where a president or monarch formally 'gives away' a punishment.

Common Collocations

• 1.pardon me对不起/借过
• 2.beg your pardon请再说一遍/恕我冒昧
• 3.grant a pardon予以赦免
• 4.presidential pardon总统赦免

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Pardon me, could you tell me the way to the station?

• 2.

  The governor pardoned the prisoner after new evidence emerged.

• 3.

  I beg your pardon — I didn't catch your name.

Easily Confused

pardon vs forgive vs excuse — forgive is the broad personal feeling (I forgive you); pardon is more formal and is the word for official/legal release (a presidential pardon); excuse downplays a fault as minor (excuse the mess). You forgive a friend, pardon a criminal, and excuse a small slip.