When to use "perdón"? When to use "perdone"?

Question

If I want to speak to a stranger, I just say "Perdone, señora". If I want to say sorry, I just say "Perdón." Are the above example sentences their main difference? In what else conditions will we use these two different words?

Answer 1

In what else conditions will we use these two different words?

Good question.

• Perdón

You can use "Perdón" by itself (ex: you step on someone's foot). "Perdone" is the polite command and "Perdona" is the familiar command.

You can also use "Perdón" to mean "What? I didn't hear that?" but it's rare here in Central America.

• Desculpar

I hear "Disculpe" or "Discúlpeme" a lot more often when you've bumped into someone accidentally.

• Con Permiso

If you want to pass by someone and he's in your way, you'd say "Con permiso."

You can also use "Perdón" to mean "What? I didn't hear that?" but it's rare here in Central America. - joygogo, Mar 4, 2013

So, you mean "Perdón" can be used as "Pardon?" And "Con permiso" mean "Excuse me?" - joygogo, Mar 4, 2013

Joygogo, that is correct. And disculpe is also used to get someone's attention. - rodneyp, Mar 4, 2013

Answer 2

Disculpe is also used more in South America, in my opinion, but on rare occasions I also hear perdón.

I hear and use 'con permiso' or 'disculpe' if I'm trying to make my way out of the Santiago metro.