How to say "forgive" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 恕するじょするsuru verb (irregular), transitive verbA less common verb meaning to forgive, pardon or excuse. Learners will seldom need it, as 許す is the common word for the same idea.
- 差し許すさしゆるすgodan verb, transitive verbMeans both to allow and to forgive, but is less common and seldom the word learners need; for forgiveness 許す is the usual choice.
- 仮すかすgodan verb, transitive verbReally means to grant or allow something, with forgiving only a marginal sense; this is seldom the word you want — use 許す instead.
- expression, suru verbCovers forgiving a thing rather than a person: you treat the offense as if it never happened and put it behind you. Usually written in kana alone.
- 許すゆるすgodan verb, transitive verbThe common, all-purpose verb: use it for forgiving a person, pardoning an offense, excusing a mistake, or tolerating behavior. When in doubt about 'forgive', this is the word to reach for.
For nearly every sense of 'forgive' use 「許す」; 「なかったことにする」 treats an offense as if it never happened; 「恕する」, 「差し許す」 and 「仮す」 are less common alternatives you will rarely need.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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