pardon
gb/pˈɑɹdən/ us/pˈɑɹdən/
A2
English
~ 2000
megbocsát, kegyelmet ad, kegyelem, tessék, elnézést, bocsásson meg
VERB
B1
1
megbocsát
B1
kegyelmet ad
B2
Usage pattern:
to pardon [someone] for [something]
The governor decided to pardon the prisoner after ten years.
A kormányzó úgy döntött, hogy tíz év után kegyelmet ad az elítéltnek.
She pardoned him for forgetting her birthday.
Megbocsátott neki, amiért elfelejtette a születésnapját.
He was pardoned for his role in the protest.
Learner examples
The teacher pardoned the student for being late.
A tanár megbocsátott a diáknak, amiért késett.
Please pardon me for my mistake.
Kérem, bocsássa meg a hibámat.
The king pardoned the thief.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'pardon' with 'excuse' — 'pardon' can sound more formal or official, while 'excuse' is more common in everyday apologies.
Meaning
Forgive someone for wrongdoing
Collocations
pardon someone for
|beg pardon
|grant a pardon
Synonyms
forgive (More general and common in everyday speech; not necessarily formal or legal.)
Antonyms
blame (To say someone is responsible for something bad.)
Themes
law
|daily life
|emotions
|relationships
Definition
To say that someone is not guilty or not blamed for something wrong they did.
To officially or personally forgive someone for a fault, mistake, or wrongdoing.
NOUN
B2
2
kegyelem
B2
Usage pattern:
grant a pardon to [someone]
The president granted a full pardon to the activist.
Az elnök teljes kegyelmet adott az aktivistának.
He received a pardon after new evidence proved his innocence.
Kegyelmet kapott, miután új bizonyítékok igazolták az ártatlanságát.
The governor refused to issue a pardon.
Learner examples
The man got a pardon from the president.
A férfi kegyelmet kapott az elnöktől.
She asked the judge for a pardon.
Kegyelmet kért a bírótól.
He was happy when he got a pardon.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'pardon' (official forgiveness) with 'parole' (early release from prison under conditions).
Meaning
Official forgiveness of a crime
Collocations
presidential pardon
|full pardon
|grant a pardon
Synonyms
amnesty (Usually applied to a group of people; often political.)
Antonyms
conviction (A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a crime.)
Themes
law
|government
|politics
Definition
A legal action that says someone will not be punished for a crime.
An official decision to forgive someone for a crime and free them from punishment.
A2
3
Pardon? Could you repeat that, please?
Tessék? Megismételné, kérem?
Pardon, I didn’t catch your name.
Elnézést, nem hallottam jól a nevét.
Pardon? What time did you say?
Learner examples
Pardon? Can you say that again?
Tessék? Meg tudná ismételni?
Pardon, I did not hear you.
Elnézést, nem hallottam, mit mondott.
Pardon? What did you say?
Common mistake:
Learners might overuse 'pardon' in casual speech, where 'sorry?' or 'what?' would sound more natural.
Meaning
Polite request to repeat words
Collocations
Pardon? I didn't hear you.
|Sorry, pardon?
Synonyms
sorry? (Less formal and common in British English for asking to repeat.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
A polite way to ask someone to say something again.
Used to politely ask someone to repeat what they have just said, especially when you did not hear or understand it.
A2
FORMAL
4
elnézést
A1
Pardon me, could I get past?
Elnézést, átmehetnék?
Pardon my interruption, but may I add something?
Elnézést a félbeszakításért, de hozzátehetnék valamit?
Oh, pardon me, I didn’t mean to bump into you.
Learner examples
Pardon me, where is the bus stop?
Elnézést, hol van a buszmegálló?
Pardon my question, but why is it closed?
Elnézést a kérdésért, de miért van zárva?
Pardon me, I dropped my pen.
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'pardon me' instead of 'sorry' in very casual contexts where it sounds overly formal.
Meaning
Polite apology for small offense
Collocations
Oh, pardon me.
|Pardon my interruption.
Synonyms
excuse me (More common in everyday speech; less formal-sounding than 'pardon me'.)
Themes
daily life
|manners
|communication
|daily_life
Definition
A polite way to say sorry for something small, like bumping into someone.
Used as a polite way of apologizing for a small mistake, interruption, or accidental action.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pardon
IPA
GB/pˈɑɹdən/
US/pˈɑɹdən/
Syllables & stress
par - don (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (par)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pardon
- Plural: pardon, pardons
Verb
- Base: pardon
- 3rd Person Singular: pardons
- Present Participle: pardoning
- Past: pardoned
Word family
Forms
pardons
noun
pardoning
verb
pardoned
verb
Related words
pardonable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unpardonable
adjective
Expressions
full pardon
1/fˈʊl pˈɑɹdən/
fixed phrase
Complete legal forgiveness of crime
An official decision that completely forgives someone for a crime and removes any punishment.
Examples
- The prisoner was granted a full pardon by the governor.
- After serving five years, she received a full pardon.
I beg your pardon
1/ˈaɪ bˈɛɡ jˈʊɹ pˈɑɹdən/
fixed phrase
Polite repeat request or mild shock
A polite way to ask someone to say something again, or to show surprise or mild anger about what they said.
Examples
- I beg your pardon—what did you just say?
- I beg your pardon, could you repeat that?
pardon my French
1/pˈɑɹdən mˈaɪ fɹˈɛnt͡ʃ/
idiom
informal
Apologize for bad language used
Said as a joke when you use a rude word and want to excuse yourself.
Examples
- Pardon my French, but that was really stupid.
- He said—pardon my French—a very rude word.