kuānshù: 宽恕 - Forgiveness, Pardon

• Keywords: 宽恕, kuanshu, forgive in Chinese, Chinese word for forgiveness, pardon in Chinese, 宽恕 vs 原谅, Chinese culture forgiveness, how to say forgive in Mandarin, HSK 6 vocabulary, Confucian values.
• Summary: Discover the deep meaning of 宽恕 (kuānshù), the formal Chinese term for forgiveness. More than just “letting it go,” `宽恕` implies a profound, magnanimous pardon for a serious offense, often rooted in Confucian ethics and personal virtue. This entry explores the difference between `宽恕` and the more common `原谅 (yuánliàng)`, its cultural significance, and how to use it correctly in formal contexts, making it an essential term for any advanced learner wanting to grasp the nuances of Chinese morality and communication.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kuānshù
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To forgive or pardon a serious offense, typically with magnanimity and from a position of authority or moral high ground.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `宽恕` as “to grant a pardon” rather than simply “to forgive.” It's a heavy, formal word reserved for significant transgressions. The act of `宽恕` emphasizes the forgiving person's generosity, empathy, and broad-mindedness. You wouldn't use it for someone being a few minutes late; you would use it when forgiving a deep betrayal or a historic wrong.

• 宽 (kuān): This character means wide, broad, generous, or lenient. The pictograph shows a `宀` (roof) over a component that suggests a large, open space. This physical “wideness” is extended metaphorically to mean a “broad mind” or a generous spirit.
• 恕 (shù): This character means to forgive or pardon, and it is a cornerstone of Confucian ethics. It's composed of `如 (rú)` meaning “like” or “as if,” and `心 (xīn)` meaning “heart.” Together, they beautifully illustrate the concept of empathy: to have a heart that is like another's, or to put yourself in someone else's shoes.
• Combined Meaning: The combination of 宽 (broad-mindedness) and 恕 (empathetic forgiveness) creates a powerful term. `宽恕` is not just an emotional release but a conscious, virtuous act of granting forgiveness from a place of deep understanding and generosity.

`宽恕` is deeply embedded in Chinese philosophy, particularly Confucianism. The character `恕 (shù)` is central to Confucius's “Golden Rule”: 己所不欲，勿施于人 (jǐ suǒ bù yù, wù shī yú rén), or “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” `恕` is the empathetic ability to understand this and act upon it. Compared to the Western concept of “forgiveness,” which is often linked to Judeo-Christian ideas of divine pardon, sin, and redemption, `宽恕` is more grounded in social ethics and personal character. To be able to `宽恕` someone demonstrates that you are a person of high moral standing, magnanimity (`大度 dàdù`), and benevolence (`仁 rén`). It is less about a transactional process (e.g., confession leads to forgiveness) and more about embodying a virtuous state of being that helps maintain social harmony. It is an act that reflects positively on the forgiver as much as it absolves the forgiven.

Due to its weight and formality, `宽恕` is not a common word in daily conversation. Its usage is generally restricted to more serious or formal situations.

• Formal & Literary Contexts: You will frequently encounter `宽恕` in literature, historical texts, philosophical discussions, and formal speeches. It is used to describe acts of great moral significance.
• Legal & Political Contexts: It can be used in the sense of a legal “pardon,” such as a president or king pardoning a criminal.
• Serious Personal Matters: In personal relationships, it is reserved for forgiving grave offenses like betrayal, deep hurt, or actions that have caused immense damage. Using it implies the speaker has been profoundly wronged. A child might “请求父母的宽恕” (beg for their parents' forgiveness) after making a life-altering mistake.
• As a Noun: It can function as a noun, meaning “forgiveness” or “pardon.” For example, “得到他的宽恕” (to receive his forgiveness).

• Example 1:
  • 我永远无法宽恕他对家庭造成的伤害。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǒngyuǎn wúfǎ kuānshù tā duì jiātíng zàochéng de shānghài.
  • English: I can never forgive the harm he caused our family.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the gravity of `宽恕`. The offense is deep and lasting (“harm to the family”), making this the appropriate word choice over the more common `原谅 (yuánliàng)`.
• Example 2:
  • 真正的宽恕不是忘记，而是接受发生过的一切，然后继续前行。
  • Pinyin: Zhēnzhèng de kuānshù bùshì wàngjì, érshì jiēshòu fāshēng guò de yīqiè, ránhòu jìxù qiánxíng.
  • English: True forgiveness isn't forgetting, but accepting everything that happened and then moving on.
  • Analysis: Here, `宽恕` is used as a noun in a philosophical context, defining its profound nature. This is a very common way to see the term used.
• Example 3:
  • 总统决定宽恕这名政治犯。
  • Pinyin: Zǒngtǒng juédìng kuānshù zhè míng zhèngzhìfàn.
  • English: The president decided to pardon this political prisoner.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the formal, almost legal, meaning of `宽恕` as “to pardon,” an act from a position of ultimate authority.
• Example 4:
  • 他跪下来，请求妻子的宽恕。
  • Pinyin: Tā guì xiàlái, qǐngqiú qīzi de kuānshù.
  • English: He knelt down, begging for his wife's forgiveness.
  • Analysis: The physical act of kneeling (`跪下来`) emphasizes the seriousness of the transgression and the desperation for `宽恕`, which is used here as a noun. The situation is clearly dramatic and severe.
• Example 5:
  • 历史会宽恕我们的错误吗？
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ huì kuānshù wǒmen de cuòwù ma?
  • English: Will history forgive our mistakes?
  • Analysis: This is a highly rhetorical and literary use of the word, personifying “history” as a powerful entity capable of granting a profound pardon.
• Example 6:
  • 学会宽恕他人，也是一种对自己的解脱。
  • Pinyin: Xuéhuì kuānshù tārén, yěshì yī zhǒng duì zìjǐ de jiětuō.
  • English: Learning to forgive others is also a kind of liberation for yourself.
  • Analysis: Another philosophical use, common in self-help or moral texts. It frames `宽恕` not just as an act for others, but as a path to inner peace.
• Example 7:
  • 你的背叛，我一生都不会宽恕。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de bèipàn, wǒ yīshēng dōu bù huì kuānshù.
  • English: Your betrayal is something I will not forgive for the rest of my life.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative usage. The use of `宽恕` elevates the “betrayal” (`背叛`) to a transgression of the highest order, making the refusal to forgive incredibly powerful.
• Example 8:
  • 在上帝面前，我们祈求他的宽恕。
  • Pinyin: Zài Shàngdì miànqián, wǒmen qíqiú tā de kuānshù.
  • English: Before God, we pray for His forgiveness.
  • Analysis: In a religious context, `宽恕` is the appropriate term for divine forgiveness, as God is the ultimate moral authority.
• Example 9:
  • 只有宽恕才能打破仇恨的循环。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu kuānshù cáinéng dǎpò chóuhèn de xúnhuán.
  • English: Only forgiveness can break the cycle of hatred.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `宽恕` as a powerful concept, the key to resolving deep-seated conflict (`仇恨的循环` - cycle of hatred).
• Example 10:
  • 我请求您的宽恕，我为我公司的严重失职行为道歉。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ qǐngqiú nín de kuānshù, wǒ wèi wǒ gōngsī de yánzhòng shīzhí xíngwéi dàoqiàn.
  • English: I ask for your forgiveness and apologize for my company's serious dereliction of duty.
  • Analysis: A highly formal apology, suitable for a CEO addressing the public after a major scandal. The offense is “serious” (`严重`) and requires an equally serious term for forgiveness.

The most common mistake for learners is using `宽恕` in casual, everyday situations. This is a “false friend” for the English word “forgive,” which has a much broader range of use. Incorrect Usage: `WRONG:` 对不起，我迟到了，请宽恕我。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le, qǐng kuānshù wǒ.) `Reason:` This sounds extremely overly dramatic, formal, and even sarcastic. Being late is a minor offense. Correct Usage: `RIGHT:` 对不起，我迟到了，请原谅我。 (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le, qǐng yuánliàng wǒ.) Key Distinction: `宽恕 (kuānshù)` vs. `原谅 (yuánliàng)`

• 宽恕 (kuānshù):
  • Weight: Heavy, profound, serious.
  • Context: Formal, literary, legal, philosophical. For major transgressions (betrayal, crime, deep moral wrongs).
  • Focus: Emphasizes the forgiver's magnanimity and moral virtue.
• 原谅 (yuánliàng):
  • Weight: Lighter, common, everyday.
  • Context: Used in daily conversation for anything from being late to making a significant mistake in a relationship.
  • Focus: Emphasizes restoring harmony and “letting something go.” It's the default word for “forgive.”

Rule of thumb: If you're not talking about a life-changing betrayal, a crime against humanity, or a divine pardon, you should probably use `原谅 (yuánliàng)`.

• 原谅 (yuánliàng) - The common, everyday word for “forgive.” It is the most direct and important counterpart to `宽恕`.
• 饶恕 (ráoshù) - To pardon or to spare. Very similar to `宽恕`, but often used when someone is begging for mercy or to be spared from punishment.
• 大度 (dàdù) - Magnanimous; generous in spirit. This is a personal quality that enables someone to `宽恕` others.
• 包容 (bāoróng) - To tolerate; to be inclusive; to embrace. Refers to the capacity to accept different viewpoints or people's flaws, a necessary precursor to forgiveness.
• 仁 (rén) - Benevolence; humanity. The supreme Confucian virtue. The empathy (`恕`) behind `宽恕` is a key expression of `仁`.
• 悔改 (huǐgǎi) - To repent; to show genuine remorse. This is the action often expected from the person who is seeking `宽恕`.
• 既往不咎 (jìwǎngbùjiù) - A four-character idiom meaning “to let bygones be bygones” or “to not hold past offenses against someone.” This is a common outcome of an act of `宽恕`.
• 得饶人处且饶人 (dé ráorén chù qiě ráorén) - An idiom advising “forgive whenever possible.” It captures the cultural value placed on being lenient and forgiving.