What is the difference between perdoneme and perdoname?
There are two sentences that I understand. One is "Perdóneme Señor." and then the other is "Perdóname mamá." Is one feminine and the other masculine? What is the difference between the two so that I can remember for future reference?
5 Answers
Nice assumption, but not quite right...
Both "perdóneme" and "perdóname" are the imperative (command) for of "perdonar". "Perdóneme" is the "usted" (you, singular) form. It is said to "el señor" as a sign of formality or respect. "Perdóname" is the "tú" (you, singular) form. It is said to "la mamá" because it is you would be familiar with your mother; "tú" is also informal.
Hello Catarine, welcome to the Forum!
"Perdóneme" is the formal form, which is typically used to address older and /or unfamiliar people.
"Perdóname" is the informal form, which is used to address friends, or people we can treat informally.
Both forms are gender-independent.
I'm glad I found this place too! Maybe I will finally always get A's on my Spanish 
Oh okay thank you guys for helping me with that Now I can remember how to answer those questions when they come up. Again thank you soooo much! 
Welcome to the forum, catarine
Good for you to find us, we can help you with this:
Perdóneme, Señor, formal form of the imperative
Perdóname, Mamá, informal form of the imperative.
It has nothing to do with the feminine or masculine form
Interesting detail about formal / informal: Certain cases of extreme formality, particularly in archaic terms, can also require the use of the now-informal version.
For example, nobody "talks" or prays to God as "Usted". Eg. "Señor perdóname mis faltas, y ayúdame a ser cada día mejor".
It used to be that Kings and royalty in general were also addressed in that manner (the now lost "Thou" form in English). Not any longer, though, although certain Kings do not have any problem in using the informal to chastise certain presidents...
