情有可原

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: qíng yǒu kě yuán
• English Translation: Excusable in light of the circumstances (extenuating circumstances)
• Idiom Composition: 「情」（Circumstances, situation, or human feelings）＋「有」（To have; there is）＋「可」（Can; may; to be able to）＋「原」（To forgive or pardon (specifically referring to 宥原 yòuyuán)）
• Meaning: A phrase used to indicate that although a mistake or wrongdoing has occurred, there are sympathetic reasons or background circumstances that make the act understandable or worthy of pardon.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「情有可原」 contains the following nuances:

• Precondition of a mistake: This idiom is only used when a mistake, failure, or wrongdoing has occurred. It is not used in situations where everything is going perfectly.
• Extenuating circumstances: It emphasizes that there are sympathetic reasons, such as 'I had no choice' or 'I didn't know,' which mitigate the blame.
• Nuance of tolerance: It does not mean the action was 'right' or 'correct.' Rather, it indicates an attitude of tolerance: 'I can understand why you did it' or 'Let's be lenient this time.'

3. Usage

「情有可原」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Defending a mistake: Used when someone makes an error due to lack of experience or an emergency, suggesting that the punishment should be lightened.
  • Example:「他是第一次处理这种业务，出现失误也是情有可原的。」
    （Since it is his first time handling this type of business, his mistake is excusable.）
• Explaining lateness or absence: Used to seek understanding when a commitment is broken due to force majeure, such as traffic or sudden illness.
  • Example:「因为突发暴雨导致迟到，这属于情有可原。」
    （Being late because of a sudden rainstorm is understandable given the circumstances.）
• Legal or ethical judgment: A more formal usage in legal or moral debates to argue that the motive justifies a lighter sentence.
  • Example:「虽然他违反了规定，但考虑到是为了救人，实在情有可原。」
    （Although he violated the regulations, considering it was to save a life, it is truly pardonable.）

Additional Examples:

1. 不知者不罪，他不知道这个规矩，犯错也是情有可原。
   （They say ignorance is no crime; if he didn't know the rules, his mistake is understandable.）
2. 如果你是因为生病没来，那还情有可原，但你明明是去玩了。
   （If you didn't come because you were sick, that would be excusable, but you clearly went out to have fun.）
3. 虽然这种行为情有可原，但毕竟造成了损失，还是需要赔偿。
   （Although this behavior is pardonable, since damage was caused after all, compensation is still necessary.）
4. 他在巨大的压力下说了重话，我觉得情有可原。
   （He said some harsh words under immense pressure; I think it's understandable.）
5. 法官认为被告的犯罪动机情有可原，因此从轻判决。
   （The judge recognized that there were extenuating circumstances for the defendant's motive and gave a lighter sentence.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Source: The phrase originates from the Book of the Later Han (后汉书) in the biography of Huo Xu (霍谞). It was originally written as 情既可原 (qíng jì kě yuán) in a petition to defend someone who had been falsely accused.
• Law vs. Emotion: Chinese culture often seeks a balance between Law (法 - fǎ) and Human Sentiment/Circumstances (情 - qíng). While there is a saying 法不容情 (fǎ bù róng qíng) meaning 'the law does not recognize personal feelings,' 情有可原 (qíng yǒu kě yuán) represents the more humane side of judgment where context is valued.
• Frequency: This is a very common idiom used in everything from casual conversations to news reports and legal discussions. Invoking this phrase is a common way to de-escalate anger or seek a reduction in penalties.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 无可厚非 (wú kě hòu fēi): Beyond reproach; not much room for criticism. Used when something is not perfect but acceptable.link
  • 事出有因 (shì chū yǒu yīn): Everything happens for a reason; there is a cause behind the incident.
  • 合情合理 (hé qíng hé lǐ): Conforming to both reason and common sense.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 罪无可恕 (zuì wú kě shù): An unpardonable crime; no room for forgiveness.
  • 理所不容 (lǐ suǒ bù róng): Intolerable by reason; completely unacceptable according to principles.
  • 岂有此理 (qǐ yǒu cǐ lǐ): How can this be so?link
  • 无理取闹 (wú lǐ qǔ nào): To make trouble without reason or to create a disturbance out of nothing.link

6. Summary

The idiom 情有可原 (qíng yǒu kě yuán) is used to defend or show understanding toward someone who has made a mistake. It suggests that while the action wasn't strictly correct, the situation surrounding it justifies a degree of leniency. It is frequently used in daily life to say 'it couldn't be helped' or in formal contexts to argue for a lighter punishment.