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How to Say ‘Sorry’ in French

Pardon

pahr-dohn

[pahr-dohn]

🇫🇷 In France: Pardon is very common for small everyday bumps: getting past someone, brushing into them, or asking them to repeat. It often sounds lighter and quicker than a full apology.

Phrase Breakdown

Pardon

[pahr-dohn]

Sorry

Used to express apology or politeness.

Example

Pardon, je ne vous avais pas vu.

Sorry, I didn't see you.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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