pardonne

Pardonne is a French verb form derived from pardonner, meaning to forgive. In present tense it appears as il/elle/on pardonne (he/she/one forgives). It also functions as the singular informal imperative for tu: pardonne (forgive!), and as the plural or formal imperative pardonnez (forgive yourselves/you all). The context usually indicates which meaning is intended.

Etymology and cognates: pardonner comes from Old French pardonner, ultimately from Latin perdonare, formed with the prefix per- and donare (“to give”), conveying the idea of removing a debt or fault. The word has direct Romance-language cognates, such as perdonar in Spanish and perdonare in Italian, all sharing the core sense of forgiving by relieving a penalty or obligation.

Usage: Pardonner is used both in everyday language and in formal or literary contexts. Common constructions include Je te pardonne (I forgive you) and Je vous pardonne (I forgive you, formal/plural). The verb can be paired with phrases to specify what is forgiven or the reason, and it is also found in religious or moral texts, for example Pardonne-nous nos offenses (Forgive us our trespasses) in prayers.

Nuance: pardonner emphasizes the act of granting forgiveness rather than merely forgetting. It is often used when addressing a fault or harm, sometimes with a nuance of mercy or reconciliation. Related expressions include Pardonne-moi or Pardonnez-moi for requesting forgiveness.