Mandarin Chinese for Granting Forgiveness and Rebuilding Trust
Learn to say 'I forgive you' and 'Let's move past this' in Mandarin, distinguish forgiving from accepting an apology, and discuss rebuilding trust in a formal register.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In Mandarin, granting forgiveness is not the same as accepting an apology. Accepting an apology often uses 没关系 (méi guānxi) or 没事 (méi shì), which can sound casual. Granting forgiveness is more deliberate and formal: 我原谅你 (wǒ yuánliàng nǐ) or 我们让这件事过去吧 (wǒmen ràng zhè jiàn shì guòqù ba). This lesson teaches you to grant forgiveness clearly, to propose moving past an issue, and to talk about rebuilding trust. You will practice a short conversation and learn when each phrase is appropriate.
By the end, you can…
- grant forgiveness formally using 我原谅你 and related patterns.
- propose moving past an issue with 我们让这件事过去吧.
- discuss rebuilding trust using 重建信任 and 重新信任你.
- distinguish forgiving from merely accepting an apology in Mandarin.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我原谅你。
I forgive you.
wǒ yuánliàng nǐ
Direct, sincere, and more formal than 没关系. Use when you have decided to forgive and want to state it clearly.
我们让这件事过去吧。
Let's move past this.
wǒmen ràng zhè jiàn shì guòqù ba
Proposes leaving the matter behind. The particle 吧 softens it into a suggestion. Use after discussion, not to avoid it.
我愿意再给你一次机会。
I'm willing to give you another chance.
wǒ yuànyì zài gěi nǐ yí cì jīhuì
Signals forgiveness plus a conditional opportunity. More formal than 算了 (suàn le).
信任需要时间重建。
Trust takes time to rebuild.
xìnrèn xūyào shíjiān chóngjiàn
States a general truth about rebuilding trust. Useful to set expectations without sounding harsh.
我希望我们能重新信任彼此。
I hope we can trust each other again.
wǒ xīwàng wǒmen néng chóngxīn xìnrèn bǐcǐ
A forward-looking, formal line. 彼此 (bǐcǐ) means 'each other' and suits serious conversations.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To grant forgiveness, use 我原谅你 (wǒ yuánliàng nǐ). To add a condition, say 我愿意再给你一次机会 (wǒ yuànyì zài gěi nǐ yí cì jīhuì). To move past an issue, use 我们让这件事过去吧 (wǒmen ràng zhè jiàn shì guòqù ba). To discuss trust, use 重建信任 (chóngjiàn xìnrèn) or 重新信任你 (chóngxīn xìnrèn nǐ). Notice that 原谅 is the verb 'forgive'; 信任 is both noun and verb 'trust'. These patterns are more formal than 没关系 and fit serious conversations.
When to use it
Use 我原谅你 when you have genuinely decided to forgive and want to say so directly. Use 我们让这件事过去吧 after both sides have talked; it means 'let's move past this,' not 'let's ignore it.' Use 我愿意再给你一次机会 when forgiveness comes with a chance to prove change. Use 信任需要时间重建 to explain that trust is rebuilt gradually. Avoid 没关系 in these moments: it often means 'it's fine,' which can sound dismissive when the issue is serious.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
对不起，我上次不该对你撒谎。
I'm sorry, I shouldn't have lied to you last time.duìbuqǐ, wǒ shàng cì bù gāi duì nǐ sāhuǎng我原谅你。但是信任需要时间重建。
I forgive you. But trust takes time to rebuild.wǒ yuánliàng nǐ. dànshì xìnrèn xūyào shíjiān chóngjiàn我明白。我愿意用行动证明。
I understand. I'm willing to prove it through my actions.wǒ míngbai. wǒ yuànyì yòng xíngdòng zhèngmíng好，我们让这件事过去吧。我希望我们能重新信任彼此。
Okay, let's move past this. I hope we can trust each other again.hǎo, wǒmen ràng zhè jiàn shì guòqù ba. wǒ xīwàng wǒmen néng chóngxīn xìnrèn bǐcǐA little context goes a long way
In many Mandarin-speaking contexts, forgiveness is often expressed indirectly to preserve harmony. A direct 我原谅你 can feel formal or even weighty, so it suits serious conversations. In casual settings, people may say 没事 or 算了, but these can seem to brush the issue aside. When trust is involved, naming it with 信任 and 重建 shows you take the relationship seriously. Adjust formality by relationship: 你 for peers, 您 (nín) for elders or superiors.
One thing to watch for
Using 没关系 (méi guānxi) to mean 'I forgive you' in a serious conversation.
Try this instead: 没关系 usually means 'it's okay' or 'no problem' and can sound dismissive. For real forgiveness, say 我原谅你 (wǒ yuánliàng nǐ). If you want to move on, say 我们让这件事过去吧 (wǒmen ràng zhè jiàn shì guòqù ba).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I forgive you' formally in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
我原谅你。
This directly grants forgiveness and is more formal than 没关系. In casual contexts, 没关系 may be acceptable, but it does not carry the same weight.
2Translate: 'Let's move past this.'
Show a sample answer
我们让这件事过去吧。
This uses 让…过去 (ràng…guòqù) 'let…pass' and 吧 to soften. You could also say 这件事就过去吧, but the 我们 version is clearer as a joint proposal.
3What phrase means 'Trust takes time to rebuild'?
Show a sample answer
信任需要时间重建。
信任 (trust) + 需要时间 (needs time) + 重建 (rebuild). You could also say 重建信任需要时间, which is equally correct.
Use 我原谅你 to grant forgiveness, 我们让这件事过去吧 to move past an issue, and 信任需要时间重建 to discuss rebuilding trust. Save 没关系 for minor matters.
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