Pardon

See also: pardon and pardön

German

Etymology

16th century, from Middle French pardon. The use as an interjection (ca. 1700) after Modern French.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /parˈdɔ̃/, [paʁˈdɔ̃ː], [pa(ɐ̯)-], [-ˈdɔŋ]

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Pardon n or m (strong, genitive Pardons, no plural)

1. (military, chiefly historical) quarter (decision not to kill a captured enemy)

   Synonym: Schonung (des Lebens)

   Gefangenen Partisanen wurde kein Pardon gegeben; sie wurden sofort standrechtlich erschossen.

   Captured partisans were given no quarter, but were immediately subjected to summary execution.

2. (law, archaic) pardon (exemption from punishment)

   Synonym: Begnadigung

3. (figurative, dated outside expressions) pardon, clemency, leniency

   Synonyms: Milde, Nachsicht, Gnade

   Bei sexueller Belästigung am Arbeitsplatz kenne ich kein Pardon.

   I show no leniency when it comes to sexual harrassment in the workplace.

Declension

Declension of Pardon [sg-only, neuter // masculine, strong]

	singular
	indef.	def.	noun
nominative	ein	das, der	Pardon
genitive	eines	des	Pardons
dative	einem	dem	Pardon
accusative	ein, einen	das, den	Pardon

Derived terms

• pardonieren

Interjection

Pardon!

1. (dated) excuse me, sorry, pardon

   Synonyms: Entschuldigung, entschuldige/entschuldigen Sie, Verzeihung, sorry

Further reading

• “Pardon” in Duden online