Translation guide
Magnanimity is the quality of being generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through words describing generosity of spirit, nobility of character, and the ability to rise above petty feelings.
Describing a person's character as generous, big-hearted, and above petty concerns.
The most common and versatile word for magnanimity. It implies generosity, tolerance, and a forgiving nature. Often used to describe a person's attitude or actions.
He forgave my mistake with a magnanimous heart.
To treat someone with a magnanimous attitude.
Literally 'large-minded', this phrase describes someone who is broad-minded, generous, and not easily offended. It emphasizes capacity for tolerance and understanding.
He is magnanimous and accepts any opinion.
Tolerance, leniency, and forbearance. Often used in contexts of accepting others' faults or differences. Slightly more formal than 寛大.
It is important to have a spirit of magnanimity.
A literary term for magnanimity, implying refined generosity and dignity. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
I admire his magnanimity.
Describing the act of forgiving someone who has wronged you, especially when you have the power to retaliate.
To forgive magnanimously. This phrase directly conveys the act of generous forgiveness.
He magnanimously forgave his enemy.
Literally 'let it flow away in the water', meaning to forgive and forget past wrongs. A common idiomatic expression for letting bygones be bygones.
To overlook an offense; to let it pass without punishment. Formal and somewhat stiff.
Describing the act of treating a vanquished rival with kindness and respect.
Magnanimous treatment or measures, often used in contexts of war, competition, or discipline.
The victor took magnanimous measures toward the defeated.
Literally 'the compassion of a samurai', this phrase evokes the ideal of a warrior showing mercy to a defeated foe. It carries a traditional, somewhat romantic connotation.
Both 寛大 (kandai) and 寛容 (kan'yō) can be translated as 'magnanimity' or 'generosity', but 寛大 emphasizes a forgiving, generous attitude, while 寛容 stresses tolerance and acceptance of differences. 寛大 is more about active forgiveness, 寛容 about passive acceptance.
The English word 'magnanimity' is relatively formal and abstract. In Japanese, it is often more natural to use phrases like 寛大な心 (magnanimous heart) or 度量が大きい (broad-minded) rather than a single abstract noun. Direct translations like 寛大さ exist but can sound stiff.
Let's be magnanimous and forget the past.
His mistake was magnanimously overlooked.
Out of magnanimity, he helped his enemy.