Learn Dutch: Pardon, ben ik laat?

This is how you ask a yes/no question in Dutch. To turn the statement ik ben (I am) into a question, you simply swap the verb and the subject to make ben ik (am I).

Is pardon used the same way as "pardon" in English?

It is very similar! In Dutch, pardon is a common and polite way to say "excuse me" to get someone's attention or to apologize. You will also often hear Dutch speakers just use the English word sorry.

Is laat pronounced like the English word "late"?

Not quite! Even though they are related and mean the same thing, the double aa in laat makes a long "ah" sound. It sounds more like the "a" in the English word "father".