Translation guide
The English verb "forgive" covers a range of situations, from pardoning serious wrongs to excusing minor inconveniences. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 許す (yurusu), but the appropriate expression depends on the gravity of the offense, the relationship, and the level of formality.
To forgive someone for a significant mistake, betrayal, or moral transgression.
The most general and common verb for 'forgive'. Can be used in personal and formal contexts. Often used in the form 許してください (please forgive me).
彼は私の失敗を許してくれた。
He forgave me for my mistake.
どうか許してください。
Please forgive me.
Literally 'to look with big eyes', meaning to overlook or be lenient about a fault. Softer than 許す, often used for minor offenses.
今回だけは大目に見てあげる。
I'll forgive you just this once.
Idiom meaning 'to let it flow away with water', i.e., to forgive and forget, to let bygones be bygones.
過去のことは水に流そう。
Let's forgive and forget the past.
To pardon or spare someone, often used in the negative form 勘弁してくれ (give me a break / forgive me). Can sound a bit rough or pleading.
もう勘弁してくれ。
Forgive me already / Give me a break.
To forgive a small mistake, oversight, or social faux pas, often in everyday situations.
Literally 'don't mind', used to brush off a minor offense or mistake. Very common in casual conversation.
遅れてごめん。 気にしないで。
Sorry I'm late. Don't worry about it (I forgive you).
Means 'it's okay' or 'no problem', used to accept an apology for something trivial.
ごめん、コーヒーこぼしちゃった。 大丈夫だよ。
Sorry, I spilled the coffee. It's okay (I forgive you).
Literally 'I'll forgive you', but can sound condescending or playful depending on tone. Use with caution.
Can sound patronizing if used seriously. Often used jokingly among close friends.
今回だけは許してあげる。
I'll forgive you just this once.
To cancel or release someone from a financial or moral debt.
Formal term for exempting or releasing from an obligation, such as a debt or duty.
彼は借金を免除された。
He was forgiven his debt.
To write off a debt, or metaphorically to cancel out a past wrong. Casual.
その借金は帳消しにしてやる。
I'll forgive that debt.
Forgiveness of sins by God or a higher power.
Same reading as 許す, but this kanji is specifically used for divine forgiveness or amnesty. Often seen in religious contexts.
神はあなたの罪を赦します。
God forgives your sins.
General phrase for 'forgive sins', using the common kanji 許す.
彼は自分の罪が許されることを願った。
He hoped his sins would be forgiven.
Saying 許す (yurusu) directly as 'I forgive you' can sound overly dramatic or self-important in Japanese. In many everyday situations, it's more natural to use phrases like 気にしないで (don't worry about it) or 大丈夫 (it's okay). Reserve 許す for serious offenses or when explicitly asked for forgiveness.
許す is the standard, neutral term for forgiveness. 勘弁する is more colloquial and often used in negative requests (勘弁して) meaning 'give me a break' or 'spare me'. It can also imply a sense of being fed up.
彼がしたことを許せない。
I can't forgive him for what he did.