恕
excuse, tolerate, forgive
Readings
On'yomi
- ジョ
- ショ
Kun'yomi
- ゆる.す
Meaning
恕 centers on a generous, understanding heart that chooses to let go of fault: excusing, tolerating, or forgiving someone.
Most common words using 恕
- 仁恕じんじょ
benevolence; magnanimity
- 宥恕ゆうじょ
forgiveness; generosity
- 寛恕かんじょ
magnanimity; forgiveness; generosity
- 忠恕ちゅうじょ
sincerity and consideration
- 恕じょ
consideration; sympathy; compassion
- 恕するじょする
to forgive; to pardon; to excuse
- 海恕かいじょ
magnanimity; forgiveness; generosity
- 諒恕りょうじょ
consideration (for someone's circumstances); compassion; pardon; mercy
Study
Etymology
恕 combines 如 (likely contributing the sound) with 心 (heart), suggesting a heart that treats others as oneself, leading to forgiveness and tolerance.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 如 can suggest 'as if' or 'like', and the bottom 心 is the heart. Imagine a heart that treats others 'as if' they were yourself, making it easy to excuse and forgive.
Reading mnemonic
For ジョ, picture a forgiving judge named Jo who always excuses small mistakes: Jo -> ジョ, and her heart 心 is full of tolerance.