Forgive in Chinese / Japanese...

liàng

량

This single character means "forgive" in Chinese. In Korean, this kind of means forgive but also has slightly different definitions of consider, excuse, faithful, believe.

yuán liàng

This two-character word means "forgive" in Chinese. It can also be defined as "to pardon" or "to excuse." 原諒 is kind of a general forgiveness.

kuān shù

kan jo

관서

This two-character word of Chinese origin means forgive or forgiveness. 寬恕 / 寛恕 is a deep kind of forgiveness from the bottom of your heart.

In a religious context, this is the kind of forgiveness that you beg God for and that God grants you.

In Korean Hanja, this can also be defined as forbearance or leniency.

In Japanese Kanji, beyond forgiveness, this can also mean magnanimity or generosity.

While we don't actively recommend Asian tattoos, this would be the forgiveness title which is best for a tattoo in most cases.

Note: The first character can also be written in the form shown to the right (especially in Japanese). If you have a preference, please let us know in the "special instructions" when you place your order.

yuán liàng zì jǐ

原諒自己 is how to write "forgive yourself" in Chinese.

The first two characters mean, "to excuse," "to forgive," or "to pardon."

The last two characters mean, "self" (reflexive pronoun), "yourself," or "oneself."

kami sama o yuru shi wo

This is how to write, "God Forgive Me," in Japanese. There is an essence humble begging or "please" implied in this phrase.

Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

oyurushi wo

お許しを is how to write, "Please Forgive Me," in Japanese. Often, Japanese Christians will add "God" (Kamisama) in front of this.

Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

mizu ni naga su

水に流す is a Japanese proverb which suggests that "water continues to flow." It's similar to our English phrase, "Water under the bridge." The perceived meaning is, "Forgive and forget."

I have also seen this translated as, "Don't cry over spilled milk."

Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

bú niàn jiù è

This Chinese proverb comes from the Analects of Confucius. It can be translated as, "Do not recall old grievances," or more simply as, "Forgive and forget."

The character breakdown:
不 (bù) not; no; don't.
念 (niàn) read aloud.
舊 (jiù) old; former.
惡 (è) wicked deeds; grievances; sins.

lüè è jì yuán qíng

This Chinese proverb means, "to overlook past faults," or "forgive and forget."

It's more literally, "Abridge or make small the scars from your past emotions." Basically, you should let it go.

The character breakdown:
略 (lüè) abbreviation; omission; abridge.
跡 (jī) ruins; scar; traces.
原 (yuán) former.
情 (qíng) feeling; emotion.

qíng yuán liàng

If you are looking for forgiveness, this is what you would say to ask/beg for it.

Note: This is a strange thing to write on a wall scroll for Chinese people - but you can bend the rules if you want in the west.

yuán liàng wǒ de zuì niè

This is a religious phrase, which means exactly what the title suggests.

See Also:  Christian

ware o yuru su

我を許す is how to write "forgive yourself" in Japanese.

The first two characters mean, "regarding myself."

The last two characters mean, "to forgive," "to excuse (from)," "to pardon," "to release," "to let off," "to permit," "to allow," and/or "to approve."

Note: Because this selection contains some special Japanese Hiragana characters, it should be written by a Japanese calligrapher.

shù

서

恕 means to forgive, show mercy, absolve, or excuse in Chinese and Korean Hanja (though mostly used in compound words in Korean).

恕 incorporates the pictogram of a heart at the bottom, and a woman and a mouth at the top. The heart portion has the most significance, as it is suggested that it is the heart's nature to forgive.
In Asian culture, as with most other cultures, forgiveness is an act of benevolence and altruism. In forgiving, you put yourself in someone else's shoes and show them the kindness that you would want them to show you. Confucius referred to this quality as "human-heartedness."

róng shè

you sha

용사

容赦 is the kind of forgiveness that a king might give to his subjects for crimes or wrong-doings.

容赦 is a rather high-level forgiveness. Meaning that it goes from a higher level to lower (not the reverse).

Alone, the first character can mean "to bear," "to allow" and/or "to tolerate," and the second can mean "to forgive," "to pardon" and/or "to excuse."

When you put both characters together, you get forgiveness, pardon, mercy, leniency, or going easy (on someone).

See Also:  Benevolence

ráo shù

This Chinese word is a kind of forgiveness that you would beg for like a servant begging a master. This can also be the forgiveness that a person would beg from the king or God.

饒恕 suggests that this is forgiveness for something really bad (a terrible crime or sin).

duì bù qǐ

對不起 is how Chinese people say "I'm sorry," "pardon me," or "forgive me."

對不起 is the most common phrase to apologize for everything from bumping into someone to breaking someone's heart. Basically, it's used in the same way we use "sorry" for many situations.

Note: This is a strange thing to write on a wall scroll for Chinese people - but you can bend the rules if you want in the west.

tóng qíng

dou jou

동정

These two characters mean compassion and sympathy in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, which makes this word universal.

Compassion is caring and understanding someone is hurt or troubled (even if you don't know them). It is wanting to help, even if all you can do is listen and say kind words. You forgive mistakes. You are a friend when someone needs a friend.

See Also:  Caring | Kindness

cí

ji

자

慈 is the simplest way to express the idea of compassion. It can also mean love for your fellow humans, humanity, or living creatures. Sometimes this is extended to mean charity.

This term is often used with Buddhist or Christian context. The concept was also spoken of by Laozi (Lao Tzu) in the Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching).

慈 is considered the direct translation of the Sanskrit word मैत्री (maitrī) Pali word मेत्ता (mettā). In this context, it means benevolence, loving-kindness, and good will.

This Chinese character is understood in Japanese but is usually used in compound words (not seen alone). Also used in old Korean Hanja, so it's very universal.

See Also:  Mercy | Benevolence | Kindness