Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Forgive" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "forgive", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
許す
ゆるす (yurusu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
水に流す
みずにながす (mizuninagasu)
C1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "forgive" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 許す and 水に流す.
In Japanese, 許す (ゆるす (yurusu)) is typically associated with "to forgive, to permit" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Can mean to forgive someone for a mistake or to permit an action..
On the other hand, 水に流す (みずにながす (mizuninagasu)) maps to "forgive and forget" (Syllabus Level: C1) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C1 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "forgive" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "許す"
彼の失敗を許してください。
Please forgive his mistake.
Bilingual Context for "水に流す"
私は水に流すに興味があります。
I am interested in forgive and forget.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "彼の失敗を許してください。" (Meaning: "Please forgive his mistake.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "許す" fits here because it means "to forgive, to permit" in the context of: "Please forgive his mistake.". "水に流す" represents "forgive and forget".