体谅

• Pinyin: tǐ liàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 体 = 亻(person) + 本 (root) — body, experience; 谅 = 讠(speech) + 京 (capital) — to understand

Meaning

To be understanding; to show consideration; to sympathize with someone's situation.

Indicates understanding and consideration for someone's difficulties or circumstances. Often used when asking for patience or acknowledging someone's hardship. Emphasizes empathy and tolerance.

Examples

1. 请您体谅一下，我们实在是人手不够，才导致送餐延迟。 Please understand — we're really short-staffed, which caused the food delivery delay.
2. 做父母的要学会体谅孩子的难处，不能只会批评。 Parents should learn to understand their children's difficulties, not just criticize.
3. 她很体谅丈夫工作的辛苦，从不抱怨他回家晚。 She's very understanding about her husband's hard work and never complains about him coming home late.

Usage Guide

Context: apologies, relationships, understanding

Tone: empathetic

Do Say

• 请体谅一下我的处境。(Please understand my situation.)
• 谢谢你的体谅。(Thank you for your understanding.)

Don't Say

• 用'体谅'为不合理的要求辩解 (Don't use 体谅 to excuse unreasonable demands — it's for genuine difficulties)

Origin & History

体 means to experience personally, 谅 means to understand — understanding through empathy.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal