Definition
情有可原 is a four-character idiom meaning 'excusable' or 'understandable given the circumstances.' It literally reads 'the situation has something that can be forgiven.' You use it when someone did something that seems wrong, but the context explains why they did it, so it's reasonable to let it go. It often appears in explanations or apologies to soften judgment.
f.e.
excusablepardonableunderstandable under the circumstances
Examples
- ，情有可原。Tā dì yī cì chídào, qíng yǒu kě yuán.It was his first time being late, so it's excusable.
- ，，情有可原。Suīrán tā méi wánchéng gōngzuò, dàn shēngbìng 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。Zhème dà de yǔ, nǐ chídào qíng yǒu kě yuán.With such heavy rain, your lateness is excusable.
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