HSK 7, nr, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #3782, Hard
恕
shù
to excuse, to forgive, to show mercy
HSK 7, nr, 10 strokes, radical 心, rank #3782, Hard
shù(shu4) T4
1to forgive
2to excuse, to forgive, to show mercy
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March 24, 2026
恕shù(shu4)
The character 恕 (shù) means 'to forgive' or 'to excuse.' It is often used in contexts where someone is asked to show mercy or leniency, indicating a compassionate attitude towards others' mistakes or shortcomings. This term is commonly associated with moral and ethical discussions in Chinese culture.
Strokes10Radical心Frequency#3782DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Confucianism, the value of forgiveness is emphasized as a virtue that maintains harmony in relationships. The character 恕 is often mentioned in classical texts that discuss moral behavior and personal conduct.
Memory Tip
Imagine the character 恕 as a heart (心) that is open to understanding a mistake (亻). Picture a person (亻) standing in front of a heart (心), ready to forgive. The pronunciation 'shù' sounds like 'shoo,' as if you're gently shooing away anger and resentment.
Meanings of 恕
shù(shu4)
1to forgive
2to excuse, to forgive, to show mercy
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 恕
恕Simplified
10Strokes
心Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#3782Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 恕
Podcast: 恕
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AI Study Notes for 恕
Quick Contrast
宽恕 (kuān shù, to forgive, to pardon) - use 恕 when emphasizing the act of excusing someone, while 宽恕 often implies a broader sense of forgiveness.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine the character 恕 as a heart (心) that is open to understanding a mistake (亻). Picture a person (亻) standing in front of a heart (心), ready to forgive. The pronunciation 'shù' sounds like 'shoo,' as if you're gently shooing away anger and resentment.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 恕; it is more formal and is often seen in written language or serious discussions. A common collocation is 恕容 (shùróng), meaning 'to forgive and tolerate.' Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler terms may suffice.
HSK Study Tips
Although 恕 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK Level 4 words related to morality and ethics, such as 忍 (rěn, to endure) and 体谅 (tǐliàng, to understand). Focus on using 恕 in sentences that express understanding and compassion.
Cultural Note
In Confucianism, the value of forgiveness is emphasized as a virtue that maintains harmony in relationships. The character 恕 is often mentioned in classical texts that discuss moral behavior and personal conduct.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 恕 with 原谅 (yuánliàng), as both mean 'to forgive,' but 恕 conveys a deeper sense of moral responsibility. For instance, saying '我恕你' (wǒ shù nǐ) can sound awkward; instead, use '我原谅你' (wǒ yuánliàng nǐ) for everyday situations.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 恕
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Grammar Patterns of 恕
恕 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
____我直言，那根本就不重要。
That, if you'll pardon my saying so, is neither here nor there.
Example Sentences for 恕 (6)
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1
恕我直言，那根本就不重要。
shù wǒ zhí yán， ， nà gēn běn jiù bù zhòng。
That, if you'll pardon my saying so, is neither here nor there.
It doesn't sound exactly orthodox, if I may say so.
3
恕我直言，您错了。
shù wǒ zhí yán， ， nín cuò。
With all due respect, you're wrong.
4
我止住了他那种卑躬屈节的神气, 告诉他,我饶恕了他.
wǒ zhǐ zhù le tā nà zhǒng bēi gōng qū jié de shén qì, , gào sù, tā , wǒ ráo shù.
I abated his cringes, told him I forgave him.
5
" 饶恕我吧, 亲爱的, " 她亲切地说, 一面伸出她的两臂.
" " ráo shù wǒ, bā , qīn," ài de , " tā qīn, qiē dì shuō , yī miàn shēn chū.
" Forgive me, darling,'she said gently, putting out her arms.
6
他跪在地板上请求宽恕。
tā guì zài dì bǎn shàng qǐng qiú kuān shù。
He was kneeling on the floor pleading for mercy.
Cultural Notes for 恕
🏮Cultural insight
In Confucianism, the value of forgiveness is emphasized as a virtue that maintains harmony in relationships. The character 恕 is often mentioned in classical texts that discuss moral behavior and personal conduct.
Word Family of 恕
Words Containing This Character4
恕shùto forgive
宽恕kuānshùto forgive寬恕
饶恕ráoshùto forgive饒恕
恕罪please forgive me
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 恕 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 恕
You can say, '请恕我冒犯了您' (Qǐng shù wǒ màofàn le nín), meaning 'Please forgive me for offending you.'
It tends to be more formal and is typically used in written language or serious discussions rather than casual conversation.
Some synonyms include 原谅 (yuánliàng, to pardon) and 宽恕 (kuānshù, to forgive).
