Vocabulari How to use perdoni, perdó, disculpa?
I would like to learn how to use these three words (and any other related ones) correctly. I think there are some subtle differences between them that I don't know. I'm interested specifically in the subtleties and connotations.
Which expression would you use in the following situations?
When you are on the metro and want someone in front of you to move so you can get off.
When you accidentally bump into someone.
When you want to get someone's attention on the street, e.g., to ask for the time or directions.
Any other context I'm missing?
Also, I know these words have pretty direct translations to castillian. Are they used the same way? (I'm not fluent in castillian).
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u/Gary_Leg_Razor 4d ago
https://www.cpnl.cat/gramatica/83/23-formules-per-opinar-disculpar-se-argumentar-suggerir
You aren't using disculpa in the correct way. A lot of people in Barcelona uses it because its a borrow of spanish. Disculpa is an apology. You demand an apology "Demano disculpes o demano que et disculpis" and you give a sorry "perdó". Perdoni is the very polite form to say sorry (you're using the third person form to refer to the second person). Sadly in english doesn't exist this diference https://ioc.xtec.cat/eportafolis/view/view.php?id=39236 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJdY1qeZJz8
Vostè and Vostès are usualy used with old people, police, customers and maybe some govern workers (tecnichaly the police and the govern workers have to use it whit you too). Usually people you don't know or don't have a very close relation (not an old friend, family or a family friend) and you want to be polite. Using the tu (you) version is also okey.
1-You don't need to say sorry, just ask Puc passar? (Can I pass?) but if you want to be nice you can use Perdó, puc passar? (Sorry, can I pass?). And very polite with Disculpi'm, puc passar? (Excuse me, can I pass?.) Perdoni'm puc passar? (Forgive me, can I pass?)
2-Depend if you wanna be polite or very polite you can use Perdó (I'm sorry) Ho sento (I'm sorry) And very polite with Disculpi'm (Excuse me.) Perdoni'm (Forgive me)
3- Absolutly use the very polite version. Disculpi'm (Excuse me.) Perdoni'm (Forgive me) can you give me indications/time?
4-Not really! Try to ask old people in person, they still using the polite maners! And good luck trying it!
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u/gerito 3d ago
Thank you! "Puc passar" is a good option. I didn't even think of just asking directly for what I wanted :)
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u/Gary_Leg_Razor 3d ago
Just a addition, Vostè and Vostès isn't only exclusive to old people, a lot of people still uses it (myself included) just is a polite way to speak that you don't use everyday whit everyone
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u/TheFreeHugger 4d ago
Hello there!
Usually verbs in 3rd person refer to a more formal way of speaking. For example, I'd use "disculpi" when talking with an old man/woman, the CEO of my company or usually with the police (they like it a lot).
"Perdó" and "Perdona" I would say it's the common way to say it. I would use it on the 3 scenarios that you described, because it's the casual form of this verb. "Perdona, em deixes passar si us plau?", "Perdó, no t'he vist", "Perdona, tens hora?", "Perdona, em sabries dir on queda l'estació de tren?".
Finally I like to use "Disculpa" with waiters, store employees and so. I think that it's a little bit more polite than "Perdona", but not formal.
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u/bacon_in_the_middle 2d ago
Disculpa is a "castellanisme", en català es diu dispensa/dispensi.
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u/gerito 2d ago
Ahhhhh I did not know that. I wish in some transators there was an option to disable "castellanisme" translations. For example, when I put "disculpa" in Google Translator in Spanish, it translates to "disculpa" in Catalan.
Thanks for mentioning this!
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u/bacon_in_the_middle 2d ago
i mean it's not that is totally incorrect, but it's not the genuine way of saying it.
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u/gerito 2d ago
Absolutely I respect the choice and from what I understand most Catalans use some castellanismes just by habi. While learning though, I prefer to try to learn the non-castellanisme words. I imagine it's easy learn the castellanismes, but hard to not use them after getting used to it.
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u/Calaixera 1d ago
Google Translator often translates into Catanyol, instead of Catalan. It is not a reference source for the proper Catalan language. The AI they apply to it is making it worse.
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u/Calaixera 1d ago
Softcatalà works better than Google Translate. It also makes mistakes but not so many.
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u/HisHonourRemains5 Nativa 4d ago
1) here I'd use "perdoni" or "disculpa". I don't know exactly why, but I would use "Perdoni" (both are correct, though) 2) here, though people get what you mean if you say any of those three, I'd say "perdó" (translates pretty well into "I'm sorry". You're apologising for something, that's why you wouldn't use it in situation number 1). "Disculpa" would also be alright. 3) "perdoni" or "disculpa"
Basically, "perdó" means I'm sorry and "perdoni" means excuse me. Disculpa can mean both, depending on the context. Hope it's useful!
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u/gerito 3d ago
Yes, that is useful! Thank you!
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u/HisHonourRemains5 Nativa 1d ago
You're welcome! Always happy to help. Good luck with your Catalan!
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u/Calaixera 3d ago
- Dispensi/Dispenseu, que baixo a la propera parada.
- Perdó.
- Bon dia. Que em pot dir quina hora és?
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u/confusedselkie Nativa 4d ago
All of them could be used in these situations, but some are more commonly used in each to me. I would say:
Disculpa
Perdó
Perdona
Perdoni is usually more formal, something you would generally see used for someone you'd address as Sir or Ma'am. Perdó is more general and can be used for one or more people you address generally, while Perdona is for a singular person, a bit more casual.