Perdonavo

Perdonavo is the first-person singular imperfect indicative form of the Italian verb perdonare, meaning to pardon or forgive. It is used to describe past actions or states that were ongoing, repeated, or habitual, rather than a single completed act. In narratives or explanations, perdonavo can convey a sense of ongoing forgiveness in the past.

Conjugation and grammar follow the standard pattern for -are verbs in the imperfect tense. The endings are -avo, -avi, -ava, -avamo, -avate, -avano. Therefore the forms include io perdonavo, tu perdonavi, lui/lei perdonava, noi perdonavamo, voi perdonavate, loro perdonavano. The stem remains perdon- with the usual imperfect endings.

Usage and nuance: Perdonavo contrasts with the passato prossimo (ho perdonato), which marks a completed forgiveness at a specific time. The imperfect form emphasizes habitual forgiveness or a process of forgiving over a period. It can appear in narratives describing recurring forgiveness, or in statements about a general attitude in the past. Examples include: Io perdonavo i suoi errori ogni volta; Quando mi chiese scusa, io perdonavo, ma non dimenticavo. The verb can take a direct object (someone) or be used with indirect expressions of forgiveness.

Etymology: Perdonare comes from Latin per- plus donare (to give). The prefix per- conveys emphasis or thoroughness, and the verb ultimately means to grant forgiveness. As a common Italian verb, perdonare and its conjugations, including perdonavo, are widely used in everyday language and literature.