"Greeting and Introduction's use of perdone"

Question

In Greetings and Introductions you start with perdone. Why do you use perdone instead of perdon? I hear a lot of people say perdon but never noticed perdone. Am I hearing wrong?

Welcome to the form! - 0080b918, Aug 24, 2013

Answer 1

I don't know that it is common to start with Perdone, but to address perdone versus perdón (note the written accent):

Perdone is the singular formal imperative of the verb perdonar to pardon.

Perdón is a noun used like "Sorry" or "Excuse me" when you are getting past a person or need to "beg pardon" of someone.

The meanings in English really overlap but the words in Spanish are different. I hope this makes sense.

Good explanation. "Perdone" is formal. You can use "perdone" instead of "perdón" as 'excuse me' when addressing to old people or just to show respect. - 003492fc, Aug 24, 2013

Thanks, atxeko (¿se pronuncia "acheco"?), I'm an old person and Spanish speakers many times are very formal even when they call me by my first name. - Jubilado, Aug 24, 2013

Sí esa sería la pronunciación, pero es un apodo inventado. Mi nombre es Sergi. - 003492fc, Aug 24, 2013

Gracias, por la respuesta. Supuse que fuera apodo, pero no sé si lo pronuncieras. Es bien escrito esto? - Jubilado, Aug 24, 2013

"supuse que era"+"no sé si lo pronuncias"+"Está bien escrito". Lo pronuncio en mi cabeza cuando lo leo :P - 003492fc, Aug 24, 2013