용서
Forgiveness is the act of choosing to let go of anger or resentment toward someone who has hurt you.
Explanation at your level:
Forgiveness means being kind to someone who made a mistake. If a friend breaks your toy by accident, you say 'it is okay.' That is forgiveness. You do not stay mad. You want to be friends again. It makes you feel happy. You give the person a second chance because you care about them. It is a very good thing to do.
When someone hurts your feelings, you might feel sad or angry. Forgiveness is the choice to let that anger go. You don't have to forget what happened, but you decide not to be mean to the other person anymore. It is like cleaning your heart from bad feelings. Many people think forgiveness is the best way to have good relationships with family and friends.
Forgiveness is a complex social skill. It means choosing to stop blaming someone for a mistake or a bad action. It is not always easy to do, especially if the mistake was big. However, forgiveness helps you move on with your life instead of staying stuck in the past. When you grant forgiveness, you are showing that you value the relationship more than the conflict.
At the B2 level, we understand that forgiveness is a process rather than a single moment. It involves acknowledging the pain caused by an offense and then consciously deciding to release the associated resentment. It is often contrasted with 'condoning,' which implies accepting bad behavior. Forgiveness does not require the other person to apologize, though an apology often makes the process easier. It is a personal act of healing.
In advanced discourse, forgiveness is frequently discussed in terms of restorative justice and emotional intelligence. It is recognized as a transformative act that can break cycles of violence or bitterness. Scholars often distinguish between 'decisional forgiveness' (a choice to act differently) and 'emotional forgiveness' (the actual shift in feelings). Understanding these nuances allows for a deeper appreciation of how human beings navigate interpersonal conflict and moral accountability in complex social structures.
The concept of forgiveness occupies a profound space in literature, theology, and ethics. It is often explored as a paradox: how can one truly forgive an unforgivable act? Throughout history, from the works of Shakespeare to modern psychological studies, forgiveness has been interrogated as a mechanism for societal reconciliation. It requires a sophisticated capacity for empathy, an understanding of human fallibility, and the intellectual maturity to separate the actor from the act. It is the ultimate expression of agency, where the individual refuses to be defined by the injuries inflicted upon them by others.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Forgiveness is the act of letting go of resentment.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is a sign of emotional strength.
- It is distinct from condoning bad behavior.
At its core, forgiveness is a powerful act of emotional liberation. It is the conscious decision to let go of the grudge you hold against someone who has wronged you. Think of it as putting down a heavy backpack you have been carrying; you are not saying what they did was okay, but you are deciding that you no longer want to be weighed down by anger.
In many cultures, forgiveness is seen as a virtue that promotes healing and social harmony. It is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of immense strength and emotional maturity. When you forgive, you are choosing to prioritize your own peace of mind over the desire for revenge. It is a transformative process that allows both the forgiver and the forgiven to move forward in life with a lighter heart.
The English word forgive comes from the Old English word forgiefan, which combines the prefix for- (meaning 'away' or 'completely') and giefan (meaning 'to give'). So, etymologically, it literally means to give away your claim to a debt or an offense.
Historically, the concept of forgiveness has been central to many religious and philosophical traditions. In ancient times, it was often tied to the concept of debt—if someone owed you money or labor, you could choose to 'forgive' the debt. Over time, this evolved to include moral and emotional debts. Understanding this history helps us see why we often talk about 'paying' for mistakes or 'settling' scores, as the language of commerce and human relationships has always been deeply intertwined.
You will often hear forgiveness used in both formal and informal contexts. In a formal setting, you might hear someone 'ask for forgiveness' in a legal or religious context. In daily life, it is common to talk about 'finding it in your heart' to forgive someone.
Common collocations include granting forgiveness, seeking forgiveness, and the power of forgiveness. It is important to note the difference between forgiveness (the noun) and forgive (the verb). You might say, 'I need to forgive him,' or 'He is seeking forgiveness.' Using these correctly will make your English sound much more natural and empathetic.
1. Forgive and forget: To stop being angry and move on completely. Example: 'We decided to forgive and forget after our argument.'
2. Turn the other cheek: To respond to an insult with non-resistance. Example: 'Instead of fighting back, she chose to turn the other cheek.'
3. Bury the hatchet: To end a conflict and become friends. Example: 'It is time we bury the hatchet and work together.'
4. Clear the air: To remove misunderstandings. Example: 'We had a long talk to clear the air.'
5. Let bygones be bygones: To ignore past disagreements. Example: 'Let’s let bygones be bygones and enjoy the party.'
Forgiveness is an uncountable noun. You generally do not say 'a forgiveness' or 'forgivenesses.' It is used as an abstract concept. The stress falls on the second syllable: for-GIVE-ness.
In terms of pronunciation, the US and UK versions are quite similar, focusing on the clear 'i' sound in the middle. It rhymes with words like witness (in a loose sense) or business. Remember that it is a noun derived from the verb forgive, which is an irregular verb (forgive, forgave, forgiven).
Fun Fact
It comes from the same root as 'give'.
Pronunciation Guide
Starts with a soft 'fuh', stress on 'give'.
Clearer 'r' sound, stress on 'give'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'for-give-ness' with equal stress
- Missing the 'v' sound
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to speak
Easy to listen
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Forgiveness is important.
Transitive Verbs
I forgive you.
Prepositional Phrases
Ask for forgiveness.
Examples by Level
I ask for your forgiveness.
I request you to forgive me.
Verb + for + noun.
Forgiveness is good.
Forgiveness is a positive action.
Noun as subject.
Please forgive me.
Ask for pardon.
Imperative verb.
She gave him forgiveness.
She forgave him.
Verb + indirect object.
We need forgiveness.
We require pardon.
Noun as object.
He wants forgiveness.
He desires to be forgiven.
Verb + noun.
It is time for forgiveness.
Now is the time to forgive.
Prepositional phrase.
Forgiveness makes us happy.
Being forgiving leads to joy.
Noun + verb.
He finally asked for her forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a hard thing to give.
I hope you can find forgiveness in your heart.
She showed great forgiveness to her brother.
They talked about the importance of forgiveness.
He did not deserve forgiveness, but she gave it anyway.
Forgiveness helped them become friends again.
Can you ever offer forgiveness for such a mistake?
Seeking forgiveness can be the first step toward healing.
The act of forgiveness is often more for the forgiver than the forgiven.
She struggled with the concept of forgiveness for a long time.
True forgiveness requires letting go of all resentment.
He was surprised by her sudden offer of forgiveness.
Forgiveness does not mean you have to trust them again.
The movie was a powerful story about redemption and forgiveness.
They reached a state of mutual forgiveness after the argument.
He found that forgiveness was the only way to release his anger.
Forgiveness is not synonymous with reconciliation.
She granted him forgiveness, but she kept her distance.
The path to forgiveness is rarely a straight line.
He was unable to find it in himself to offer forgiveness.
The community focused on restorative justice and forgiveness.
Forgiveness can be a transformative experience for the soul.
She realized that forgiveness was a gift she gave to herself.
The psychological benefits of forgiveness are well-documented in modern research.
He offered a gesture of forgiveness that stunned the entire room.
Forgiveness is often the most challenging aspect of the healing process.
She argued that forgiveness is a moral imperative in a fractured society.
The weight of his past prevented him from accepting her forgiveness.
Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness; it is a profound act of courage.
They engaged in a dialogue aimed at achieving lasting forgiveness.
His capacity for forgiveness was truly remarkable.
The theological implications of forgiveness are central to many ancient texts.
She explored the limits of forgiveness in her latest philosophical treatise.
Forgiveness is the ultimate expression of human transcendence over suffering.
His refusal to seek forgiveness left a permanent scar on their relationship.
The narrative arc of the novel hinges on the protagonist's struggle with forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a radical choice to prioritize humanity over vengeance.
The reconciliation process was predicated on a sincere request for forgiveness.
She viewed forgiveness as a necessary component of personal evolution.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Forgive and forget"
To stop being angry and move on.
Let's just forgive and forget.
neutral"Turn the other cheek"
To not retaliate.
He chose to turn the other cheek.
neutral"Bury the hatchet"
To stop fighting.
We need to bury the hatchet.
casual"Clear the air"
To remove tension.
We cleared the air after the meeting.
neutral"Let bygones be bygones"
To ignore past issues.
Let's let bygones be bygones.
neutral"Wipe the slate clean"
To start over fresh.
We wiped the slate clean.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean to forgive.
Pardon is more legal/formal.
I beg your pardon vs I ask for forgiveness.
Both involve minor offenses.
Excuse is for small things.
Excuse me vs Forgive me.
Often paired with forgive.
Forget is memory, forgive is emotion.
I forgot his name vs I forgave his insult.
Both relate to behavior.
Condone means to accept bad behavior.
I forgive him but I don't condone it.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + ask for + forgiveness
He asked for forgiveness.
Subject + grant + forgiveness
She granted him forgiveness.
Subject + find + forgiveness
He found forgiveness.
Subject + offer + forgiveness
She offered forgiveness.
It is + adj + to + forgive
It is hard to forgive.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is an uncountable noun.
Grant is more precise.
They are different concepts.
Forgive is transitive.
From is the correct preposition.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine giving a gift to someone who hurt you.
Native Speakers
They use it when discussing deep emotional healing.
Cultural Insight
Highly valued in Western psychological therapy.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use it as a singular, uncountable noun.
Say It Right
Focus on the stress in the middle.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't pluralize it.
Did You Know?
It shares a root with 'give'.
Study Smart
Read articles about emotional intelligence.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Forgive = For + Give. You give away your anger.
Visual Association
An open hand letting go of a heavy stone.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to forgive one small annoyance today.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: To give away
Cultural Context
Can be a sensitive topic in cases of severe trauma.
Often associated with personal growth and mental health.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Relationships
- I need your forgiveness
- Can you forgive me?
- Forgiveness is key
Counseling
- The process of forgiveness
- Self-forgiveness
- Emotional release
Religion
- Seek forgiveness
- Absolution
- Divine forgiveness
Legal
- Grant a pardon
- Clemency
- Legal forgiveness
Conversation Starters
"Do you think forgiveness is always possible?"
"What does forgiveness mean to you?"
"Is it harder to forgive others or yourself?"
"Have you ever had to ask for forgiveness?"
"Can you forgive someone without an apology?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you forgave someone.
What makes forgiveness difficult for you?
How does it feel to be forgiven?
Is there someone you need to forgive?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is a choice to let go of resentment.
No, it is uncountable.
No, 'forgive' is the verb.
For-GIVE-ness.
Generally yes, but it is a personal process.
Forgiving.
Yes, self-forgiveness is important.
It is used in both formal and informal settings.
Test Yourself
He asked for ___.
Fits the context of asking for pardon.
What does forgiveness mean?
Forgiveness is about releasing anger.
Forgiveness is a countable noun.
It is uncountable.
Word
Meaning
Grammatical categories.
Subject + verb + preposition + noun.
Score: /5
Summary
Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself by releasing the burden of anger.
- Forgiveness is the act of letting go of resentment.
- It is an uncountable noun.
- It is a sign of emotional strength.
- It is distinct from condoning bad behavior.
Memory Palace
Imagine giving a gift to someone who hurt you.
Native Speakers
They use it when discussing deep emotional healing.
Cultural Insight
Highly valued in Western psychological therapy.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use it as a singular, uncountable noun.
Example
과거의 실수를 용서하는 것은 쉽지 않다.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More society words
수용하다
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성인
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선진화
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가중되다
B2To be increased or aggravated, especially in terms of pressure, burden, or negative circumstances.
지향
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소외
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또한
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대안
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비록
A1Although; even though.
도래
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