When is it appropriate to use "Perdone?"

Question

The lady on the video said it is what you say when you are meeting somebody for the first time and want to start a conversation, but how often is this even used? When is it even appropriate to use? I know there is a lot of slang in spanish, as there is in English, and I am just wondering if there is something better to use than this.

Also, if I were to walk up to somebody my age, (14), and say, Perdone! Would I be laughed at and looked at strangely? Or is this what everyone else says? - nashtynashfan545, Jun 26, 2011

Excuse me! Check my second answer please! :] - 00a4c226, Jun 26, 2011

Answer 1

Jeje

Good question. Our wonderful teacher, Paralee, teaches us this: You'd use "Perdone" when trying to get someone's attention.

Imagine you're in a foreign country. You want to know what time it is. You want to know where to get a frozen yogurt. You want to know how to get to the beach. Obviously, you'd want to ask someone who lives there! So, I don't recommend just walking up and butting in on a conversation [that's rude ], so you'd have to say "Excuse me" or "Perdone".

Remember to be polite to people older than you..."Perdone, señor" or "Perdone, señora".

Just think of "Perdone" as "Excuse me"...I don't think you should be embarrassed about saying that to someone your own age. You'll sound polite Be proud of it!

[I think I said this to you already. Oh well - welcome...again!]

Once again, thank you for the help :-) Or um, Gracias. haha. :-) - nashtynashfan545, Jun 26, 2011

De nada! - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 26, 2011

Answer 2

In sentences meaning "excuse me" you can use either, as disculpe/perdone, me deja pasar? disculpe/perdone, no le había visto (after to tread on somebody toes.

However, both verbs don't exactly mean the same. Perdonar is much stronger than "disculpar". You can use "discúlpame" when you did something silly to someone and that person got a little upset.

"Perdóname" means "forgive me" and it's meant to actually ask for forgiveness in more important matters.

"Please, forgive me, I'll never do it again" "Por favor, perdóname, no lo vuelvo a hacer"

We wouldn't normally use "discúlpame" in this context, as you probably wouldn't use "excuse me" in English.

Thanks :-) - nashtynashfan545, Jun 27, 2011

Answer 3

You already got a good question! Here some examples: Excuse me, what time is it? Disculpe, ¿qué hora es? Excuse me, would you help me to find this address? Perdone, ¿me ayudaría a encontrar esta dirección? Excuse me, where is the bathroom? Disculpe, ¿dónde esta el baño? or ¿dónde queda el baño?

I have noticed that you used "Disculpe." Could you please explain the difference between disculpe and perdone? - nashtynashfan545, Jun 26, 2011

Answer 4

Actually, you'll use it when you step on somebody's toe(s).