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| 原谅 [2025/08/04 00:47] – created xiaoer | 原谅 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== yuánliàng: 原谅 - To Forgive, Pardon, Excuse ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** yuánliàng, 原谅, forgive in Chinese, pardon in Chinese, how to say forgive in Chinese, what does 原谅 mean, Chinese word for forgiveness, HSK 4 vocabulary, understanding Chinese apologies | |
| * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **原谅 (yuánliàng)**, the primary Chinese word for "to forgive." This comprehensive guide explores its cultural significance, practical use in daily conversation, and how it differs from a simple apology. Learn how **原谅** is deeply connected to understanding, empathy, and restoring social harmony, making it a crucial term for anyone learning Chinese. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yuánliàng | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To forgive, pardon, or excuse someone for a wrongdoing. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **原谅 (yuánliàng)** is more than just accepting an apology; it is the act of forgiving itself. It implies a deep sense of understanding the reason behind a mistake and consciously choosing to let go of resentment. It's an active process undertaken by the person who was wronged, often with the goal of repairing a relationship and restoring harmony. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **原 (yuán):** This character means "original," "source," or "primary cause." It points to understanding the root of an issue. | |
| * **谅 (liàng):** This character means "to understand," "to show understanding," or "to make allowances for." It is the empathetic component. | |
| When combined, **原谅 (yuánliàng)** literally translates to "understanding the original cause." This beautifully captures the essence of Chinese forgiveness: it's not just about wiping the slate clean, but about empathizing with the other person's situation or reasoning, which then allows you to pardon their actions. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| In Chinese culture, maintaining social **[[和谐]] (héxié) - harmony** and preserving **[[关系]] (guānxi) - relationships** are paramount. The act of forgiving, or **原谅 (yuánliàng)**, is a critical tool for achieving this. | |
| Unlike the Western concept of forgiveness, which can sometimes be an individualistic, moral, or even religious act of absolution, **原谅** is often more social and situational. The emphasis is on **谅解 (liàngjiě) - reaching a mutual understanding**. The goal is practical: to mend the relationship and allow social interactions to continue smoothly. Forgiveness is granted not just to free oneself from anger, but to restore balance to the social unit (family, group of friends, workplace). It is an act that shows maturity, empathy, and a commitment to the collective over individual feelings of grievance. | |
| For example, a child who disobeys their parents might be asked to explain *why* they did it. The parents' ability to **原谅** is tied to their ability to **体谅 (tǐliàng) - be considerate of** the child's perspective, even if they don't condone the action. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **原谅** is a versatile word used in many contexts, from minor slip-ups to serious betrayals. Its formality depends on the surrounding words. | |
| * **Asking for Forgiveness:** The most common way to ask for forgiveness is by saying "**请原谅我**" (Qǐng yuánliàng wǒ - Please forgive me). This is often said after an apology like **[[对不起]] (duìbuqǐ)**. | |
| * **Granting Forgiveness:** To forgive someone, you can say "**我原谅你了**" (Wǒ yuánliàng nǐ le - I have forgiven you). | |
| * **Informal/Playful Use:** Among friends, it can be used in a lighter tone. Forgetting to buy a friend a coffee might elicit a playful "**原谅我吧！**" (Yuánliàng wǒ ba! - C'mon, forgive me!). | |
| * **Formal/Serious Use:** In a business context or for a major transgression, the tone is much more serious. "**希望您能原谅我们的疏忽**" (Xīwàng nín néng yuánliàng wǒmen de shūhu - We hope you can forgive our negligence) is a very formal and sincere request. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 我不是故意的，请你**原谅**我。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ bùshì gùyì de, qǐng nǐ **yuánliàng** wǒ. | |
| * English: I didn't do it on purpose, please forgive me. | |
| * Analysis: A standard, direct apology. The speaker first explains the lack of intent (不是故意) before asking for forgiveness. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 无论他怎么道歉，我都不会**原谅**他。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wúlùn tā zěnme dàoqiàn, wǒ dōu bù huì **yuánliàng** tā. | |
| * English: No matter how he apologizes, I will never forgive him. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence shows the negative form, **不原谅 (bù yuánliàng)**, to express a firm refusal to forgive, indicating a very serious offense. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 你能**原谅**我上次的迟到吗？ | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ néng **yuánliàng** wǒ shàng cì de chídào ma? | |
| * English: Can you forgive me for being late last time? | |
| * Analysis: A common question form using **能...吗? (néng...ma?)** to politely ask if forgiveness is possible for a past mistake. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 我已经**原谅**你了，别再想这件事了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng **yuánliàng** nǐ le, bié zài xiǎng zhè jiàn shì le. | |
| * English: I've already forgiven you, don't think about this matter anymore. | |
| * Analysis: This demonstrates granting forgiveness. The particle **了 (le)** indicates the completion of the action, and the follow-up phrase encourages the other person to move on. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 真正的成长是学会**原谅**自己。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhēnzhèng de chéngzhǎng shì xuéhuì **yuánliàng** zìjǐ. | |
| * English: True growth is learning to forgive yourself. | |
| * Analysis: This shows that **原谅** can be directed inward, referring to self-forgiveness and personal development. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 他犯的错太严重了，我无法**原谅**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā fàn de cuò tài yánzhòng le, wǒ wúfǎ **yuánliàng**. | |
| * English: The mistake he made was too serious, I am unable to forgive. | |
| * Analysis: **无法 (wúfǎ)** means "unable to" or "no way," which is a stronger and more definitive refusal than **不 (bù)**. It implies an emotional or moral incapacity to forgive. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 妈妈**原谅**了那个打碎了花瓶的孩子。 | |
| * Pinyin: Māmā **yuánliàng** le nàge dǎ suì le huāpíng de háizi. | |
| * English: The mother forgave the child who broke the vase. | |
| * Analysis: A simple narrative example showing forgiveness in a family context. It highlights the role of authority figures in granting forgiveness. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 这是不可**原谅**的错误。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè shì bùkě **yuánliàng** de cuòwù. | |
| * English: This is an unforgivable mistake. | |
| * Analysis: **不可原谅 (bùkě yuánliàng)** is a set phrase meaning "unforgivable" or "inexcusable." It's a very strong condemnation. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 我**原谅**你，是因为我理解你的难处。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ **yuánliàng** nǐ, shì yīnwèi wǒ lǐjiě nǐ de nánchu. | |
| * English: I forgive you because I understand your difficulties. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence explicitly connects forgiveness (**原谅**) with understanding (**理解**), perfectly illustrating the word's deeper meaning. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 请**原谅**我的疏忽，这是修改后的文件。 | |
| * Pinyin: Qǐng **yuánliàng** wǒ de shūhu, zhè shì xiūgǎi hòu de wénjiàn. | |
| * English: Please excuse my oversight, here is the revised document. | |
| * Analysis: A common and polite usage in a professional or business context. Here, **原谅** functions like "pardon" or "excuse" for a professional mistake. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| * **原谅 (yuánliàng) vs. 对不起 (duìbuqǐ):** This is the most critical distinction for learners. | |
| * **[[对不起]] (duìbuqǐ)** is what you say ("I'm sorry"). It's the apology. | |
| * **原谅 (yuánliàng)** is what you ask for or what the other person does ("to forgive"). It's the response to an apology. | |
| * Incorrect: You bump into someone and say "**原谅**". | |
| * Correct: You bump into someone and say "**对不起**" (Duìbuqǐ) or "**不好意思**" (Bùhǎoyìsi). If it's a serious collision, you might follow up with "**请原谅我**" (Qǐng yuánliàng wǒ). | |
| * **Not for "Excuse Me":** Do not use **原谅** when you need to get someone's attention or pass by them in a crowd. In English, you'd say "Excuse me." In Chinese, you should use **不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi)** or **劳驾 (láojià)**. Using **原谅** in this context would sound overly dramatic and confusing. The "excuse" in **原谅** means "to excuse a fault," not "to excuse oneself." | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[对不起]] (duìbuqǐ) - "I'm sorry." The apology one gives when seeking **原谅**. | |
| * [[抱歉]] (bàoqiàn) - "To be sorry, to regret." A slightly more formal or sincere way to express apology than **对不起**. | |
| * [[宽恕]] (kuānshù) - "To forgive, to remit." A more formal, literary, and profound term for forgiveness, often implying magnanimity or a pardon for a very grave offense. | |
| * [[体谅]] (tǐliàng) - "To be considerate of, to show understanding." It focuses on the empathetic understanding of someone's situation, a key component of **原谅**. | |
| * [[谅解]] (liàngjiě) - "To understand and excuse, to reach an understanding." It emphasizes the mutual agreement and understanding between two parties, which is often the result of forgiveness. | |
| * [[过错]] (guòcuò) - "Fault, mistake, error." The wrongdoing that requires **原谅**. | |
| * [[和谐]] (héxié) - "Harmony." The state of social balance that the act of **原谅** aims to restore. | |
| * [[关系]] (guānxi) - "Relationships, connections." The social bonds that are repaired through apology and forgiveness. | |