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"Disculpar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to forgive", and "perdonar" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to forgive". Learn more about the difference between "disculpar" and "perdonar" below.
disculpar(
dees
-
kool
-
pahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to pardon)
a. to forgive
Por favor, discúlpame por haber roto la guitarra.Please, forgive me for breaking the guitar.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Disculpe, por favor. ¿Me dice dónde está la parada del metro?Excuse me, please. Can you tell me where the subway station is?
Disculpa, no te he visto trabajando allí. Me pondré los cascos.I'm sorry, I didn't see you there working. I'll put headphones in.
disculparse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to apologize
Si te disculparas, quizás te perdonaría.If you apologized, perhaps he'd forgive you.
b. to apologise (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Puede esperar el tiempo que quiera pero yo no pienso disculparme.He can wait as long as he likes but I've no intention of apologising.
perdonar(
pehr
-
doh
-
nahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to forgive
Tito perdonó a Ana por haber olvidado su cumpleaños.Tito forgave Ana for forgetting his birthday.
2. (to absolve)
a. to waive
El banco nos perdonó la cuota que cobran para abrir una cuenta nueva.The bank waived the fee they charge to open a new account.
b. to write off
No sé por qué, pero el banco nos perdonó la deuda que debemos de la casa.I don't know why, but the bank wrote off the debt we owe on the house.
b. to go without
Mi mejor amiga nunca perdona su café de la tarde.My best friend never goes without her afternoon coffee.
perdonarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to forgive oneself
Ya es hora de que te perdones por los errores del pasado.It's time for you to forgive yourself for your past mistakes.
