情有可原 (qíng yǒu kě yuán) — excusable; pardonable; understandable under the circumstances
Definition
A set idiom meaning someone's mistake or wrongdoing is 'understandable given the circumstances' — used to excuse or pardon. The situation must genuinely justify the action; it's stronger than just saying 'I see why.'
idiom
excusablepardonableunderstandable under the circumstances
Examples
- ，情有可原。Tā dì yī cì chí dào, qíng yǒu kě yuán.It was his first time being late, so it's excusable.
- ，，情有可原。Suī rán tā méi wán chéng gōng zuò, dàn shēng bìng le, yě qíng yǒu kě yuán.Even though she didn't finish the work, she was sick, so it's understandable.
- ，情有可原。Zhè me dà de yǔ, nǐ chí dào qíng yǒu kě yuán.With such heavy rain, your lateness is excusable.
Appears in
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