yuánliàng: 原谅 - To Forgive, Pardon, Excuse

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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.

• 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.”

• 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.