What is a common mistake with “Pardon”?

✗ Pardon (after a big mistake) → ✓ Özür dilerim: Pardon is for small things.

Phrase 47 of 500

How to say “Excuse me” in Turkish

Q: How is “Pardon” used in a conversation?

Ben: Pardon, geçebilir miyim? (Excuse me, can I get past?) Yolcu: Tabii, buyurun. (Of course, go ahead.)

Pardon is "Excuse me" or "Sorry" for small things: passing someone in a crowd, bumping into them, or getting attention before a question. It is borrowed from French and very common.

Written by Fatih, Turkish language and literature graduate & linguist

Pardon!

pahr·dohn

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Meaning: Excuse me!
Pronunciation: pahr·dohn

What “Pardon” really means

Pardon is "Excuse me" or "Sorry" for small things: passing someone in a crowd, bumping into them, or getting attention before a question. It is borrowed from French and very common.

💬 Example dialogues

BenPardon, geçebilir miyim?Excuse me, can I get past?

YolcuTabii, buyurun.Of course, go ahead.

TuristPardon, Taksim nerede?Excuse me, where is Taksim?

GençŞuradan düz gidin.Go straight from here.

🚫 When NOT to use it

It is too light for a real apology, like being an hour late. In a restaurant, to call the waiter "Bakar mısınız?" is more natural than just "Pardon!".

🇹🇷 Culture note

"Pardon?" with a rising tone also means "Sorry, what did you say?", though "Efendim?" is the more polite version.

⚠️ Common mistakes

✗ Pardon (after a big mistake) → ✓ Özür dilerimPardon is for small things.