チャラ
チャ
ラ
Meanings
1
cancelling a debt; forgiving a debt; being even
Colloquial term for wiping the slate clean financially, often used in phrases like チャラにする (to call it even).
I'll forget about the money I lent you the other day.
You treated me, so we're even now.
2
forgetting what was said or done; pretending something never happened
Colloquial extension: treating a past remark or incident as if it never happened, often in the phrase チャラにする.
Forget what I just said—pretend it never happened.
Let's just forget about the fight.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉をチャラにするto write off (a debt) / call it even
My friend forgave my debt and called it even.
- 〈事〉をチャラにするto pretend (a matter) never happened
Let's just forget about yesterday's argument.
- これでチャラだwe're even now
We both apologized, so we're even now.
- チャラになるto be cancelled out / end up even
My savings and debt were the same amount, so it ended up even in the end.