sorry v pardon

Question

In a few days i will go to London to spend five days of my vacances. One friend told me that the english people use the word sorry when they approach someone for ask something. For exampke. Sorry, could you say me what time is it? . When i was studing english 25 years ago , i remember that my teacher said that in these cases ,was better say pardon than sorry. What do you say me about this? Which is more educated form for aboard to someone unknoun. Pardon or sorry? . I think that pardon is equivalent to the spanish word disculpe. And sorry to perdon. Am i wrong? .

Dentro de unos días iré a Londres a pasar cinco días de mis vacaciones. Un amigo me dijo que los ingleses utilizan la palabra "sorry" cuando se aproximan a un desconocido para preguntar algo. Por ejemplo :"sorry" disculpe ,¿ podría decirme que hora es?. Cuando yo estaba estudiando inglés hace 25 años, recuerdo que mi profesora decía que en estos casos era mejor decir pardon que sorry.¿ Que me decís sobre ésto. ?. ¿ Cual es la forma mas educada de abordar a un desconocido? . Yo pienso que pardon equivale a disculpe y sorry a perdón. ¿estoy equivocado? Please correct my english. Thanks

You can edit your post to correct you English spelling errors on capitalization (capitalisation). - Jubilado, Jul 31, 2015

In the land of OZ we say ,-excuse me mate ! we don't use sorry . "English" "example" " what can you tell me about this" - ray76, Jul 31, 2015

thank you - 000a35ff, Jul 31, 2015

Answer 1

In your example, I would use "pardon me" or "excuse me." Those are perfect for when you are interrupting someone to ask a question. I wouldn't use "Sorry" in that situation because it has the connotation of being at fault.

Now, if you were to accidentally bump into someone, you'd say "Sorry." You could also use "pardon" or "pardon me," or "excuse me" in that situation as well.

(This is an opinion from an American married to a Brit. Your mileage may vary.")

Sounds good to me. :) - ian-hill, Jul 30, 2015

thank you - 000a35ff, Jul 31, 2015

Answer 2

You ask someone if they can 'tell you the time' When I visit London if I want directions I always stop someone who is visiting or who doesn't speak English! 'Pardon me ' sounds very American to my ears In your example I would use excuse me I agree using could is a good idea. Sorry could also work, but excuse me sounds much better. Unlike Americans we do not use excuse me as an apology. Here are some links which will help. 1. A blog by a Spaniard which is excellent for understanding the British. Guirilandia 2. A short BBC clip BBC 3. This article is excellent, but it is all in English so it may be hard work. how to apologise 4,And here is a blog by a lady from Barcelona who has lived in London Please thanks and sorry

I would actually say 'Excuse me, could you tell me the time please' or 'I am sorry to bother you but could you tell me the time please?'

Londoners are used to dealing with visitors some people will be a little abrupt but most will be helpful. If you don't know what to say talk about the weather! This shows the subtle rules about weather Video

Great links, Mardle! - Winkfish, Jul 30, 2015

thanks - 000a35ff, Jul 31, 2015

Answer 3

Depende en la región, ninguno de tus ejemplos son incorrectos. Pero yo nunca diría, "Pardon, can you tell me what time it is?" Yo diría, "Sorry, can you tell me what time it is?"

En realidad son versiones cortas de de frases más largas... en vez decir una frase larga a un desconocido... ejemplo:

(Los dos funcionan más a menos igual, "Sorry" o "Pardon", nada más depends en la región)

Pardon, can you tell me the time?

Pardon me, but can you tell me what time it is?

Aún más larga y en español: Por favor disculpa la molestia de un desconocido, pero me pudieras ayudar con una preguntita, ¿Qué hora es?

A mí, Disculpe significa excuse me --- Disculpe señorita, ¿Qué hora tiene? Excuse me (ma'am/miss), do you have the time?

---

Depends on the region, nothing you said is really outrightly wrong. However, I would never say, "Pardon, can you tell me what time it is?" I would say, "Sorry, can you tell me what time it is?"

In reality you're leaving out a few words in these statements, or shortening them...

Pardon, can you tell me the time?

Pardon me, but can you tell me what time it is?

Please excuse this interruption from a stranger, would you be able to tell what the time is?

(Throw sorry in there instead and you've got the same thing. Again it depends on the region which is more common.)

I would translate Disculpe as excuse me --- Disculpe señorita, ¿Qué hora tiene? Excuse me (ma'am/miss), do you have the time?

thank you - 000a35ff, Jul 31, 2015

Answer 4

I have rarely heard the expression "Pardon me" in a pubic place - at least not for years in England. When asking a question of a stranger, the usual expression would be"Excuse me, can you help me...." or "Excuse me, do you have the time" or "Excuse me, I am lost can you direct me to the station" etc etc......

In the United States it is not uncommon to say "Pardon me" in those cases although "Excuse me" is probably just as common. - Jubilado, Jul 31, 2015

Yeah, I'm talking about generally what I've heard after living in New Zealand, Australia, and the US (and family from England). - Kiwaiano, Jul 31, 2015

thank you - 000a35ff, Jul 31, 2015

Answer 5

Be careful these sayings are very regional .In Australia the norm is to say

*excuse me can you tell me the time" rarely will you hear "pardon me ,"that , is very formal and would be used as an exclamation if one had made a faux pas.

You cannot go wrong if you simply say ,"excuse me * English people are more

relaxed nowadays . You will be OK have a wonderful time and take lots of

great photos to post on SD when you return .Tenga un buen viaje

thank you - 000a35ff, Jul 31, 2015