perdonare

Perdonare is an Italian verb meaning to forgive someone for a fault or offense, or to grant pardon in a broader sense. It can be used in personal relationships to release resentment, as well as in legal or formal contexts to mean officially absolving someone of blame or punishment. The term can also express sparing or exempting someone from a burden or consequence.

Etymology and forms: Perdonare derives from Latin perdonare, formed with the prefix per- and donare (to give). In Italian it is a regular -are verb. Key forms include: present io perdono, tu perdoni, lui/lei perdona; noi perdoniamo, voi perdonate, loro perdonano. The past participle is perdonato, used with avere in compound tenses (ho perdonato). Other common forms are perdonando (gerund) and perdoni/percorrendo in various subjunctive or imperative moods (perdona, perdoni, perdoniamo, perdonate, perdonino). Passive use is formed with essere, as in essere perdonato/perdonata.

Usage and nuance: Perdonare takes a direct object for the person or thing being forgiven (perdonare una persona, perdonare un’offesa) and often a complement to indicate the reason or offense (perdonare qualcuno per qualcosa). The verb appears in expressions such as chiedere perdono (to seek forgiveness) and God perdona i peccati in religious contexts. Nuances include the emotional and relational impact: perdonare often implies release of resentment and can be a deliberate choice, which may or may not coincide with forgetting or reconciliation. In legal contexts, perdonare can translate as a formal pardon or exemption.

See also: perdono, chiedere perdono, scusa, perdonare se stessi.