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A2 verb #3,500 most common 10 min read

谅解

liang jie Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 谅解 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 谅解 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to navigate basic social interactions. You might not use '谅解' (liàngjiě) yourself very often, as it is a bit formal, but you will definitely see it in public places. Imagine you are at a train station in China and there is a delay. You will see a sign that says '请谅解' (Please understand). At this level, you should think of '谅解' as a polite way to say 'sorry for the trouble.' It is like a more formal version of '对不起' (duìbuqǐ). You don't need to worry about the complex grammar yet. Just remember that when you see '谅解,' someone is asking you to be patient and not be angry about a mistake or a delay. It usually appears at the end of a sentence or a notice. Even if you can't read the whole sentence, seeing '谅解' is a signal that something is not going according to plan, but the people in charge are being polite about it. You might also hear it in very basic classroom settings if a teacher is late. Learning this word early helps you recognize the 'polite' atmosphere of Chinese public service. It is one of those 'safety words' that helps you understand the mood of a situation even if you don't know all the vocabulary. In your own speaking, you can stick to '对不起' for now, but recognizing '谅解' will make you feel much more at home in a Chinese city.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to form more complete sentences and handle everyday situations. This is the level where '谅解' becomes a useful part of your active vocabulary, especially for writing. You might need to write a simple note to a teacher or a colleague explaining why you missed a class or were late for a meeting. Instead of just saying '对不起,' using '请谅解' (qǐng liàngjiě) makes you sound more respectful and mature. For example, '我今天生病了，不能去上课，请老师谅解' (I am sick today and can't come to class, please understand, teacher). At A2, you should also start to distinguish '谅解' from '理解' (lǐjiě). Remember: '理解' is for understanding a meaning or a reason, while '谅解' is for understanding a mistake or a problem. If your friend explains a difficult grammar point, you say '我理解了.' If your friend is late for dinner because of traffic, you say '我能谅解' (I can understand/excuse that). You will also notice this word in customer service contexts, like on a website that is down for maintenance. Learning the phrase '请予以谅解' (Please grant understanding) is a great way to boost your formal writing score. It shows you understand the social norms of Chinese communication. You are moving from basic survival Chinese to 'polite social' Chinese.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle less routine situations and express more complex thoughts. '谅解' (liàngjiě) now becomes a key tool for conflict resolution and professional communication. You should be comfortable using it in both spoken and written forms. At this stage, you will encounter the phrase '达成谅解' (dáchéng liàngjiě), which means 'to reach an understanding.' This is very common in business news or when describing how two people settled a dispute. You should also start using '谅解' to describe your own feelings toward others. For instance, '虽然他迟到了，但我能谅解他的处境' (Although he was late, I can understand/make allowances for his situation). You are now exploring the 'empathy' side of the word. Another important aspect at B1 is the ability to use '谅解' in the passive sense, such as '他的做法很难让人谅解' (His actions are hard for people to excuse). This shows a higher level of grammatical control. You are also learning to recognize the word in more varied contexts, such as in literature or more detailed news reports. You should be able to explain the difference between '谅解' and '原谅' (yuánliàng) at this level: '原谅' is personal and emotional, while '谅解' is often based on an objective understanding of the circumstances. Mastering this distinction is a hallmark of the B1 learner who is starting to grasp the nuances of Chinese social dynamics.

At the B2 level, you are becoming a fluent communicator who can discuss abstract topics and handle professional environments with ease. '谅解' (liàngjiě) is now a word you use to navigate complex social and political landscapes. You will see it in phrases like '谅解备忘录' (Memorandum of Understanding - MOU), which is a crucial term in business and international relations. At this level, you should be able to use '谅解' to discuss justice and social harmony. For example, you might discuss whether a victim's '谅解' (forgiveness/understanding) should lead to a reduced sentence for a criminal—a common topic in Chinese legal debates. You should also be able to use the word in sophisticated idioms like '互谅互让' (mutual understanding and mutual accommodation). This phrase is essential for describing successful negotiations or healthy relationships. Your ability to use '谅解' in a variety of grammatical structures—as a verb, a noun, or part of a set phrase—should be solid. You also understand that '谅解' carries a certain 'face-saving' function. By using this word, you are allowing someone to maintain their dignity while acknowledging their mistake. This level of cultural awareness is what separates a B2 learner from lower levels. You are no longer just translating 'understand'; you are performing the social ritual of 'liàngjiě.'

At the C1 level, you are approaching near-native proficiency and can understand the subtle 'flavor' of words in different registers. '谅解' (liàngjiě) is no longer just a vocabulary item; it's a strategic tool. You understand its role in diplomacy and high-level corporate communications where every word is carefully chosen to avoid liability while maintaining goodwill. You can analyze texts where '谅解' is used to 'soften' a harsh reality or to signal a shift in political stance. For example, you might read an editorial about how two countries '达成了一定程度的谅解' (reached a certain degree of understanding) and know that this implies a significant breakthrough in a long-standing conflict. You are also capable of using the word in very formal speeches or academic writing. You might explore the philosophical roots of '谅解'—how the character '谅' (sincerity) and '解' (resolution) combine to create a uniquely Chinese approach to conflict. You can use the word to critique social behavior, perhaps writing about the '谅解文化' (culture of understanding/tolerance) in modern society. At C1, your use of the word is precise. You know exactly when '谅解' is too formal and when '原谅' is too casual. You can also handle the word's appearance in classical or semi-classical contexts (literary Chinese), where '谅' might appear alone to mean 'sincerity' or 'faith.' Your mastery is both broad and deep.

At the C2 level, your mastery of '谅解' (liàngjiě) is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You have a profound understanding of the word's historical evolution and its multi-faceted role in the modern Chinese linguistic landscape. You can use '谅解' in the most delicate of situations—negotiating a multi-billion dollar merger, drafting a diplomatic communiqué, or writing a profound piece of literature. You understand the 'hidden' meanings: when an official says '希望得到国际社会的谅解,' you know exactly the political subtext and the level of 'face' being negotiated. You can effortlessly use the word in all its collocations and idioms, and you might even use it ironically or creatively in literary contexts. You are aware of how '谅解' interacts with other high-level concepts like '宽容' (tolerance), '博爱' (universal love), and '法治' (rule of law). In a legal context, you understand the precise implications of a '谅解书' (letter of understanding) on judicial outcomes. Your command of the word allows you to use it to influence others, to build bridges, and to resolve the most complex of human misunderstandings. To you, '谅解' is more than a word; it is a manifestation of the 'Middle Way' philosophy, a balance between principle and flexibility. You can discuss the nuances of the word for hours, exploring its etymology, its sociological impact, and its role in the future of Chinese communication. You are a true master of the language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

谅解 in 30 Seconds

谅解 (liàngjiě) means to understand the reasons behind a mistake and choose to excuse it, acting as a bridge between comprehension and forgiveness.
It is a formal word frequently used in business, customer service, and diplomacy to politely ask for patience during delays or errors.
Unlike '理解' (logical understanding), '谅解' implies that something went wrong and requires social or emotional clearance from the affected party.
Common phrases include '达成谅解' (reach an understanding) and '请谅解' (please understand), both essential for maintaining social harmony in Chinese culture.

The Chinese word 谅解 (liàngjiě) is a nuanced verb that sits at the intersection of logical comprehension and emotional forgiveness. While English speakers might simply say 'to understand,' 谅解 carries a specific weight: it implies that a mistake, an oversight, or an unfortunate circumstance has occurred, and the other party is choosing to look past the error by understanding the underlying reasons. It is not just about knowing a fact; it is about providing a social and emotional clearance. In professional and formal settings, it is the standard way to ask for patience when things go wrong. If a flight is delayed or a meeting is rescheduled at the last minute, you will almost certainly hear or read this word. It bridges the gap between 'I see why this happened' and 'I accept your apology because I understand the context.'

The Core Concept: At its heart, 谅解 is about 'making allowances.' It suggests that while a situation is not ideal, the person affected has enough empathy or logic to realize that the perpetrator wasn't acting out of malice. It is frequently used in diplomacy, business contracts, and customer service to maintain harmony.
Social Harmony: In Chinese culture, maintaining 'face' and harmony (和谐) is paramount. 谅解 is a linguistic tool that allows both parties to move forward without a confrontation. By asking for 谅解, you are effectively saying, 'Please don't be angry; the circumstances were beyond my control.'

由于天气原因，航班延误，请各位旅客予以谅解。 (Due to weather conditions, the flight is delayed; we ask for all passengers' understanding.)

To use 谅解 correctly, one must distinguish it from its cousins: 了解 (liǎojiě - to know facts) and 理解 (lǐjiě - to comprehend logic). You 了解 a person's name, you 理解 a mathematical formula, but you 谅解 a friend who forgot your birthday because they were working overtime. It is the 'mercy' version of understanding. It is also more formal than 原谅 (yuánliàng), which is a direct 'forgive me.' You might ask a spouse for 原谅 for a small lie, but a company asks the public for 谅解 for a service outage. The word contains the character 谅, which historically relates to sincerity and faith, and 解, which means to untie or resolve. Thus, 谅解 is the act of 'sincerely untying' a knot of misunderstanding or resentment.

双方达成了初步的谅解。 (The two sides reached a preliminary understanding/agreement.)

In a diplomatic context, 谅解 moves into the realm of 'Memorandum of Understanding' (谅解备忘录 - MOU). Here, it isn't about an apology, but about a mutual alignment of perspectives where both sides agree to overlook certain differences to achieve a common goal. This highlights the word's versatility: it can be a soft emotional plea or a hard legal term. For a learner, mastering 谅解 means moving beyond the basic 'I'm sorry' and entering the realm of sophisticated social negotiation in Chinese.

Using 谅解 requires an understanding of its typical sentence structures. It often functions as a noun following a verb like 得到 (dédào - to get) or 达成 (dáchéng - to reach), or as a verb in a polite request. Because it is a formal word, it rarely appears in isolation in casual street slang, but it is ubiquitous in media and professional writing.

Structure 1: Requesting Understanding: The most common pattern is '请 + [Reason] + 谅解'. For example: '请大家对我们的工作失误予以谅解' (Please grant us understanding for our work errors). Here, 予以 (yǔyǐ) acts as a formal 'to give' or 'to grant.'
Structure 2: Achieving Mutual Agreement: In negotiations, you use '达成谅解' (dáchéng liàngjiě). Example: '经过多次谈判，两国终于达成了谅解' (After many negotiations, the two countries finally reached an understanding).

我希望你能谅解我的苦衷。 (I hope you can understand/make allowances for my difficulties.)

When you use 谅解 as a verb directed at a person, it often takes an object that represents the 'reason' or 'situation' rather than just the person. You don't just 'understand someone'; you 'understand someone's position' or 'understand someone's mistake.' For instance, '谅解他的行为' (Understand/excuse his behavior). This distinguishes it from '理解,' which is more about the logic of the action itself.

他的诚恳道歉得到了受害者的谅解。 (His sincere apology gained the victim's forgiveness/understanding.)

In written reports, you might see '互谅互让' (hù liàng hù ràng), a four-character idiom meaning 'mutual understanding and mutual accommodation.' This is a higher-level usage that describes the ideal state of conflict resolution. Whether you are writing a letter of apology to a teacher or drafting a press release for a tech company, 谅解 provides the necessary gravitas to show that you are taking the situation seriously and respect the other person's right to be inconvenienced.

If you spend any time in a Chinese-speaking environment, 谅解 will become a familiar sound in very specific contexts. It is the language of the 'public sphere.' From the subway station to the nightly news, it serves as the lubricant for social friction. It is rarely whispered between lovers, but it is shouted—metaphorically—by institutions seeking to calm a frustrated public.

Public Announcements: In airports, train stations, or even on websites during maintenance, the phrase '不便之处，敬请谅解' (bùbiàn zhī chù, jìngqǐng liàngjiě) is ubiquitous. It translates to 'Please kindly understand any inconvenience caused.' It is the polite gold standard for corporate apologies.
Legal and News Reports: In criminal cases, if a defendant pays compensation and the victim signs a letter, it is called a '谅解书' (liàngjiě shū). This document can lead to a lighter sentence. You will hear news anchors say, '被告人已获得家属谅解' (The defendant has obtained the family's understanding/forgiveness).

施工期间带来的噪音，请邻居们多加谅解。 (Please, neighbors, show more understanding for the noise during construction.)

You will also hear this word in political discourse. When two nations have a dispute but decide to cooperate on a specific project, they 'shelve differences and seek mutual understanding' (搁置争议，达成谅解). This usage elevates the word from a simple apology to a strategic alignment. In the workplace, a manager might use it when explaining why a bonus was smaller than expected: '由于公司经营困难，希望大家能够谅解' (Due to the company's operational difficulties, I hope everyone can understand).

这只是一个误会，希望你能谅解。 (This is just a misunderstanding; I hope you can understand/forgive.)

Finally, in high-stakes social situations, like a wedding where the food is late or a conference where the speaker is absent, the host will use 谅解 to appeal to the audience's sense of 'large-heartedness' (大度). It is a word that calls upon the listener to be the 'bigger person.' By hearing this word, you are being invited into a space of mutual respect where the humanity of the mistake is acknowledged.

For English speakers, the primary challenge with 谅解 is its overlap with other 'understand' words. In English, 'I understand' can mean 'I see the logic,' 'I know the facts,' or 'I forgive you.' In Chinese, these are three distinct words, and using 谅解 in the wrong place can sound very strange or even slightly offensive.

Mistake 1: Using it for Cognitive Understanding: If you say '我不谅解这道数学题' (I don't understand this math problem), people will laugh. 谅解 requires an interpersonal conflict or an inconvenience. For math or logic, you must use 理解 (lǐjiě).
Mistake 2: Overusing it in Intimate Relationships: If you forget your partner's birthday and say '请谅解,' it might sound too cold and distant, like a corporate press release. In intimate settings, 原谅 (yuánliàng - forgive) or 体谅 (tǐliàng - empathize) are much warmer and more appropriate.

Incorrect: 我谅解你的中文名字。 (I 'forgive' your Chinese name.)
Correct: 我知道你的中文名字。 (I know your Chinese name.)

Another mistake is the grammatical placement. 谅解 is a transitive verb, but it is often used with '予以' (yǔyǐ) or '得到' (dédào) in formal writing. Beginners often forget that 谅解 implies a level of 'excusing.' If there is nothing to excuse, don't use it. For example, if a teacher explains a concept clearly, you shouldn't say '我谅解了.' You should say '我明白了' (I understand/I get it).

Incorrect: 他不谅解这个电影的剧情。 (He doesn't 'forgive' the movie plot.)
Correct: 他不理解这个电影的剧情。 (He doesn't understand the movie plot.)

Lastly, be careful with the word 了解 (liǎojiě). Many students confuse 了解 and 谅解 because they sound similar. 了解 is about 'getting to know' or 'investigating.' You 了解 the market, but you 谅解 a market failure. Mixing these up in a business meeting could lead to significant confusion about whether you are asking for more data or asking for an excuse for poor performance.

To truly master 谅解, you must see where it fits in the spectrum of 'understanding' and 'forgiveness.' Chinese is rich with synonyms that each occupy a specific social niche. Choosing the right one shows a high level of cultural fluency.

谅解 vs. 理解 (lǐjiě): 理解 is cognitive. It is about the 'why' and the logic. 谅解 is social. It is about the 'it's okay' and the forgiveness. You can '理解' why someone stole bread (hunger), but you might not '谅解' the act (it's still a crime).
谅解 vs. 原谅 (yuánliàng): 原谅 is more personal and direct. It is the standard translation for 'to forgive.' 谅解 is more detached and formal. You ask a friend to '原谅' you for being mean, but a company asks for '谅解' for a technical glitch.
谅解 vs. 体谅 (tǐliàng): 体谅 is about empathy. It involves putting yourself in someone else's shoes. It is warmer than 谅解. '体谅父母的辛苦' (Empathize with parents' hard work) is a very common phrase.

我们应当学会包容与谅解。 (We should learn to be tolerant and understanding.)

Another alternative is 包容 (bāoróng), which means 'to tolerate' or 'to be inclusive.' While 谅解 focuses on a specific incident, 包容 is more about a general attitude of acceptance. In a marriage, you need both: 谅解 for the occasional late arrival, and 包容 for the partner's annoying habits. In professional writing, you might also encounter 宽恕 (kuānshù), which is a very heavy, almost religious word for 'pardon' or 'forgiveness.' You wouldn't use 宽恕 for a late email; that would be far too dramatic!

In summary, 谅解 is your 'professional forgiveness' card. It is the word that keeps the gears of society turning by allowing people and institutions to acknowledge mistakes without losing their dignity. By understanding its boundaries—where it stops being cognitive and starts being social—you can navigate Chinese social interactions with much more grace.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 谅 contains the 'speech' radical (讠), suggesting that 谅解 is something achieved through communication and verbal sincerity.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ljaŋ.tɕjɛ/

US /ljɑŋ.tʃjɛ/

In Chinese, both syllables carry their own tone stress, but 'liàng' often feels slightly more emphatic as the initial syllable.

Rhymes With

亮 (liàng) 量 (liàng) 解 (jiě) 姐 (jiě) 界 (jiè) 借 (jiè) 街 (jiē) 阶 (jiē)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'liang' as 'lang' (missing the 'i').
Confusing the 4th tone of 'liàng' with the 2nd tone 'liáng' (good).
Pronouncing 'jie' like the English word 'jay' (it should be 'j-yeh').
Failing to dip low enough on the 3rd tone of 'jiě'.
Confusing 'liàngjiě' with 'liǎojiě' (to know).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Characters are slightly complex but common in public notices.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowing the 'speech' radical and the complex 'jie' character.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once tones are mastered.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish from 'liaojie' (to know).

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

理解 (understand) 了解 (know) 原谅 (forgive) 解释 (explain) 对不起 (sorry)

Learn Next

宽容 (tolerance) 体谅 (empathy) 协议 (agreement) 矛盾 (conflict) 协商 (negotiate)

Advanced

博大精深 (broad and profound) 化干戈为玉帛 (turn swords into plowshares) 推心置腹 (confide in someone)

Grammar to Know

Using '予以' for formal actions.

请予以谅解。

Noun phrases with '的'.

受害者的谅解。

Passive with '得到'.

得到大家的谅解。

Resultative compounds with '达成'.

达成谅解。

Adverbial modifiers like '深表' or '多加'.

深表谅解。

Examples by Level

请谅解。

Please understand.

A very short, polite request for understanding.

由于迟到，请大家谅解。

Because of being late, please everyone understand.

Uses '由于' (due to) to explain the reason.

我不能来，请谅解。

I can't come, please understand.

Simple subject + verb phrase + request.

请多谅解。

Please show more understanding.

'多' (more) adds emphasis to the request.

不便之处，请谅解。

For any inconvenience, please understand.

A standard set phrase for service issues.

他生病了，请谅解。

He is sick, please understand.

Explaining a situation before the request.

由于天气不好，请谅解。

Due to bad weather, please understand.

Commonly used in travel contexts.

老师，请谅解我。

Teacher, please understand me.

Directly addressing the person.

希望你能谅解我的困难。

I hope you can understand my difficulties.

Uses '希望' (hope) to make the request softer.

因为堵车我迟到了，请谅解。

I'm late because of a traffic jam, please understand.

Connects a specific cause (堵车) to the request.

对您的不便，我们深表谅解。

For your inconvenience, we deeply express [request for] understanding.

Formal business phrasing.

他还是个孩子，请大家多谅解。

He is still a child, please everyone show more understanding.

Appealing to the listener's empathy.

由于系统升级，服务暂停，请谅解。

Due to a system upgrade, service is suspended, please understand.

Formal technical announcement.

我能谅解你的心情。

I can understand your feelings.

Using '谅解' as a verb for emotional understanding.

请对我们的工作给予谅解。

Please give understanding to our work.

Uses '给予' (to give) formally.

虽然他错了，但我愿意谅解他。

Although he was wrong, I am willing to understand/excuse him.

Contrastive structure with '虽然...但...'.

双方终于达成了谅解。

The two sides finally reached an understanding.

Uses the common collocation '达成谅解'.

我非常体谅你的难处，也请你谅解我。

I very much empathize with your difficulties, and please also understand me.

Contrasts '体谅' (empathy) with '谅解' (forgiveness/allowance).

这种行为是很难得到谅解的。

This kind of behavior is very difficult to get understanding for.

Passive construction with '得到'.

我们应该本着互谅互让的精神解决问题。

We should solve problems in the spirit of mutual understanding and accommodation.

Uses the idiom '互谅互让'.

请谅解我们无法提供进一步的信息。

Please understand that we cannot provide further information.

Formal refusal pattern.

他的诚实赢得了大家的谅解。

His honesty won everyone's understanding/forgiveness.

Uses '赢得' (to win/earn) as the verb.

由于客观原因，项目延期，请予谅解。

Due to objective reasons, the project is delayed, please grant understanding.

High-level formal business language ('客观原因', '请予').

我希望我们之间能有多一点谅解。

I hope there can be a bit more understanding between us.

Using '谅解' as a noun meaning the state of mutual understanding.

两国签署了关于贸易合作的谅解备忘录。

The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding regarding trade cooperation.

Technical term: '谅解备忘录' (MOU).

在处理家庭矛盾时，谅解比争吵更有效。

When dealing with family conflicts, understanding is more effective than arguing.

Comparing '谅解' as an abstract concept.

他希望能通过赔偿获得受害人的谅解。

He hopes to obtain the victim's understanding through compensation.

Legal context: compensation for forgiveness.

这种误解如果不能及时消除，很难达成谅解。

If this misunderstanding cannot be eliminated in time, it will be hard to reach an understanding.

Conditional sentence with '如果...就...'.

作为领导，你应该谅解下属的偶尔失误。

As a leader, you should make allowances for your subordinates' occasional mistakes.

Using '谅解' to mean 'to make allowances for'.

我们对他所处的困境表示深切的谅解。

We express deep understanding for the predicament he is in.

Formal expression of empathy/allowance.

历史遗留问题需要双方共同努力去达成谅解。

Historical issues require mutual effort from both sides to reach an understanding.

Political/diplomatic context.

请谅解我们在这种特殊情况下所做的决定。

Please understand the decision we made under these special circumstances.

Asking for allowance for a difficult decision.

法律在某种程度上也包含了对人性弱点的谅解。

To some extent, the law also contains an understanding of human weaknesses.

Philosophical/legal discussion.

双方在核心利益上仍存分歧，未能达成全面谅解。

The two sides still have differences on core interests and failed to reach a comprehensive understanding.

High-level diplomatic reporting.

这种宽大处理体现了司法机关对被告人悔罪表现的谅解。

This lenient treatment reflects the judicial organ's understanding of the defendant's remorse.

Complex legal terminology ('悔罪表现', '司法机关').

他那番话虽然有些偏激，但考虑到他的遭遇，也是可以谅解的。

Although his words were somewhat extreme, considering his experience, they are excusable.

Evaluating the 'excusability' of an action.

我们呼吁各方保持克制，通过对话寻求谅解。

We call on all parties to exercise restraint and seek understanding through dialogue.

Standard international relations phrasing.

谅解并不意味着放弃原则，而是一种更高的智慧。

Understanding doesn't mean giving up principles; it is a higher form of wisdom.

Abstract philosophical statement.

这份谅解备忘录为未来的深入合作奠定了基础。

This MOU has laid the foundation for future in-depth cooperation.

Business/political metaphor ('奠定基础').

在多元文化背景下，跨文化的谅解显得尤为重要。

In a multicultural context, cross-cultural understanding is particularly important.

Sociological academic context.

唯有通过深层次的文化交流，才能消除隔阂，达成真正的谅解。

Only through deep-level cultural exchange can barriers be eliminated and true understanding be reached.

Complex logical structure ('唯有...才能...').

他以一种近乎博大的胸怀，谅解了那些曾经伤害过他的人。

With an almost broad-minded magnanimity, he forgave those who had once hurt him.

Literary and highly descriptive language.

国际政治中的谅解往往是利益博弈与妥协的产物。

Understanding in international politics is often the product of interest games and compromises.

Political science analysis.

这种基于道义的谅解，超越了法律的冷冰冰的教条。

This understanding based on morality transcends the cold dogmas of the law.

Philosophical critique.

在那个动荡的年代，人与人之间的谅解成为了生存的慰藉。

In those turbulent years, understanding between people became a solace for survival.

Historical/literary context.

他的作品中充满了对人类苦难的深切谅解与同情。

His works are filled with deep understanding and sympathy for human suffering.

Literary criticism.

达成谅解的前提是双方都能坦诚地面对过去的不快。

The prerequisite for reaching an understanding is that both sides can frankly face past unpleasantness.

Complex noun phrase structure.

法律的终极目的，或许就在于促成社会成员间的广泛谅解。

The ultimate goal of the law, perhaps, lies in facilitating broad understanding among social members.

Speculative philosophical tone.

Common Collocations

达成谅解

得到谅解

请予谅解

表示谅解

寻求谅解

互相谅解

谅解备忘录

予以谅解

深表谅解

获得谅解

Common Phrases

不便之处，敬请谅解

— A standard apology for any inconvenience caused by service issues.

电梯维修中，不便之处，敬请谅解。

达成谅解备忘录

— To sign a formal MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

两家公司达成了谅解备忘录。

互谅互让

— Mutual understanding and mutual accommodation.

邻里之间要互谅互让。

谅解书

— A formal letter of forgiveness, often used in legal contexts.

他拿到了一份家属签字的谅解书。

多加谅解

— To show more understanding/patience.

我是新手，请大家多加谅解。

表示深切谅解

— To express deep understanding for someone's situation.

领导对他家里的困难表示深切谅解。

无法谅解

— Unable to excuse or understand (usually due to a severe fault).

他的背叛让我无法谅解。

得到广泛谅解

— To receive widespread understanding from the public.

这个政策虽然严格，但得到了广泛谅解。

寻求各方谅解

— To seek understanding from all involved parties.

政府正在寻求各方对新法案的谅解。

本着谅解的精神

— In the spirit of understanding.

我们应该本着谅解的精神进行谈判。

Often Confused With

谅解 vs 理解

理解 is cognitive (logic); 谅解 is social (excuse/pardon).

谅解 vs 了解

了解 is about knowing facts or investigating; 谅解 is about forgiveness.

谅解 vs 原谅

原谅 is a direct personal apology; 谅解 is a formal allowance.

Idioms & Expressions

"互谅互让"

— Both sides should understand and yield to each other to reach harmony.

处理同事关系，互谅互让很重要。

Formal/Neutral

"通情达理"

— To be reasonable and understanding of others' situations.

他是一个通情达理的人。

Neutral

"设身处地"

— To put oneself in another's shoes (related to the empathy of 谅解).

你要设身处地为他想想。

Neutral

"宽宏大量"

— To be broad-minded and forgiving.

他宽宏大量，原谅了我的错。

Formal/Praising

"既往不咎"

— To let bygones be bygones; to not punish past mistakes.

只要你肯改，我们既往不咎。

Formal

"将心比心"

— To feel for others by looking into one's own heart.

大家都要将心比心，互相谅解。

Neutral

"大度包容"

— To be magnanimous and inclusive.

我们要以大度包容的心态对待别人。

Formal

"息事宁人"

— To settle a matter and keep the peace (often involves 谅解).

他只想息事宁人，所以选择了谅解。

Neutral

"虚怀若谷"

— To be extremely open-minded and receptive (like a valley).

他虚怀若谷，总能谅解他人的不足。

Literary

"仁至义尽"

— To have done everything required by duty and kindness.

我已经仁至义尽了，他不谅解我也没办法。

Formal

Easily Confused

谅解 vs 谅解

Sounds like 了解 (liǎojiě).

Liàngjiě is for forgiveness; Liǎojiě is for knowing information.

我了解情况，但我不能谅解你的错误。

谅解 vs 理解

Both translate to 'understand'.

Lǐjiě is for the 'how/why' of a concept; Liàngjiě is for the 'it's okay' of a mistake.

我理解这个公式，但我不能谅解你考试作弊。

谅解 vs 体谅

Both involve understanding someone's situation.

Tǐliàng is deeper empathy (feeling for them); Liàngjiě is more about the act of excusing.

体谅父母的辛苦，谅解他们的唠叨。

谅解 vs 宽容

Both involve not being angry about faults.

Kuānróng is a general trait of tolerance; Liàngjiě is often for a specific incident.

他为人宽容，很容易谅解别人的小错。

谅解 vs 原谅

Both mean 'forgive'.

Yuánliàng is emotional/personal; Liàngjiě is logical/formal.

请原谅我的脾气，谅解我的压力。

Sentence Patterns

请谅解。

由于[原因]，请谅解。

由于堵车，请谅解。

得到[人]的谅解。

得到了家人的谅解。

达成谅解。

双方达成了谅解。

[行为]是很难谅解的。

这种错误是很难谅解的。

对[情况]深表谅解。

对您的处境深表谅解。

本着[精神]达成谅解。

本着互利互惠的精神达成谅解。

[概念]包含了对[事物]的谅解。

法律包含了对人性的谅解。

Word Family

Nouns

谅解 (understanding/forgiveness)

谅解书 (letter of understanding)

谅解备忘录 (MOU)

Verbs

谅解 (to understand/excuse)

体谅 (to empathize)

原谅 (to forgive)

Adjectives

可谅解的 (excusable)

难以谅解的 (inexcusable)

原谅 (forgive)

体谅 (empathize)

理解 (understand)

了解 (know)

宽容 (tolerant)

How to Use It

frequency

High in formal/professional contexts; Moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

我不谅解这个问题。 → 我不理解这个问题。
谅解 is for social forgiveness, not for intellectual comprehension of a problem.
请谅解我的名字。 → 请记住我的名字。
You don't 'forgive' a name; you 'remember' it. 谅解 requires a fault or inconvenience.
他谅解了我的秘密。 → 他知道了我的秘密。
谅解 is not 'knowing' or 'keeping' a secret; it's excusing a mistake.
我们谅解了一个合同。 → 我们达成了一个谅解备忘录。
You don't 'understand' a contract in this way; you 'reach' a memorandum of understanding.
我谅解你是个好人。 → 我认为你是个好人。
谅解 isn't for stating opinions about someone's character unless you are excusing a fault.

Tips

Email Etiquette

Always end a notification about a delay with '请谅解' to sound professional.

Conflict Resolution

Use '互谅互让' (mutual understanding) when trying to settle a dispute between two people.

Formal 'Give'

Pair '谅解' with '予以' (yǔyǐ) in writing for a very high-level, polite tone.

Face Saving

Using '谅解' allows the person who made a mistake to keep their dignity.

Public Notices

When you hear 'liàngjiě' in a subway announcement, expect a delay or service change.

Legal Terms

Learn '谅解书' if you are interested in Chinese law or news.

Softening Requests

Add '希望' (hope) before '谅解' to make your request sound less demanding.

Group Settings

Use '请大家谅解' when addressing a group of people for a collective mistake.

Character Breakdown

Remember the 'speech' radical in '谅'—it takes words to reach understanding.

Not for Logic

Never use 谅解 for math, science, or logical puzzles.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'UN-TYING' (解) a knot with 'SINCERE SPEECH' (谅). When you untie the knot of anger, you reach 'liàngjiě'.

Visual Association

Picture a 'Memorandum of Understanding' (MOU) document being signed after a long argument. That document is the physical form of 谅解.

Word Web

Forgive Understand Apology Harmony MOU Empathy Excuse Peace

Challenge

Try to use '请谅解' in three different contexts today: a late text, a small mistake at work, and when you can't help a friend.

Word Origin

The word is composed of two characters: 谅 (liàng) and 解 (jiě). 谅 originally meant 'sincerity' or 'faith' (信也). 解 meant 'to untie' or 'to explain' (释也). Together, they mean to resolve a situation through sincere understanding.

Original meaning: To sincerely analyze and resolve a misunderstanding or fault.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Do not use 谅解 for very grave crimes where 'understanding' might seem insulting to the victim, unless a formal legal process is involved.

English speakers often use 'I understand' for both facts and feelings. In Chinese, you must be careful not to use 谅解 for math or directions.

谅解备忘录 (MOU) in international trade news. Letters of Forgiveness (谅解书) in high-profile Chinese court cases. Public apologies from celebrities often use '恳请大家谅解' (sincerely ask for everyone's understanding).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Customer Service

不便之处，请谅解
由于系统升级
敬请谅解
感谢您的配合

Business Meetings

达成谅解备忘录
希望各位谅解
由于预算有限
互谅互让

Legal Disputes

获得家属谅解
签署谅解书
表现良好
从轻处罚

Interpersonal Conflict

谅解我的苦衷
我不是故意的
希望你能谅解
消除误会

Travel and Logistics

航班延误
天气原因
请旅客们谅解
正在抢修

Conversation Starters

"对于这次的延误，我真的希望你能谅解我的处境。"

"你觉得在一段感情中，谅解和原则哪个更重要？"

"如果别人伤害了你，你会轻易给予谅解吗？"

"在你们国家，公司道歉时通常会怎么说？也会用‘谅解’吗？"

"你认为达成一份谅解备忘录最难的部分是什么？"

Journal Prompts

写一封信给一位你曾经误解的朋友，寻求他的谅解。

描述一次你不得不谅解别人的经历。你当时是什么心情？

讨论一下‘谅解’在社会和谐中扮演的角色。

如果你是一家公司的CEO，你会如何写一份公开信来请求大众的谅解？

思考一下‘理解’和‘谅解’的区别，并举例说明。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. For intellectual or cognitive understanding, use '理解' (lǐjiě) or '明白' (míngbai). 谅解 is reserved for interpersonal situations involving mistakes or inconveniences.

Yes, significantly. '原谅' (yuánliàng) is what you say to a friend or partner. '谅解' (liàngjiě) is what you use in business emails, public announcements, or diplomatic documents.

It is a 'Memorandum of Understanding' (MOU). It is a formal document describing an agreement between parties that is not as strict as a legal contract but shows mutual intent.

Yes, but it sounds very firm and formal. It means 'I do not excuse/accept this.' In casual settings, people might say '我不能原谅' instead.

A common way is to say '由于[原因]，造成不便，请予以谅解' (Due to [reason], causing inconvenience, please grant understanding).

Not exactly. It means understanding the circumstances so that you *choose* not to hold a grudge. It's more about 'making allowances' than just 'forgiving' a sin.

体谅 (tǐliàng) is more about empathy—putting yourself in someone else's shoes. 谅解 (liàngjiě) is more about the social act of excusing a fault.

It is both. As a verb: '请谅解我.' As a noun: '达成了一项谅解.'

In China, if a criminal gets a '谅解书' (letter of understanding/forgiveness) from the victim, the judge may give a lighter sentence. It's a key legal concept.

Liàng is 4th tone (falling), and Jiě is 3rd tone (dipping-rising). Be careful not to make both 4th tones.