Definition

1. Verb Phrase:
   • To pardon out of sympathy / to show leniency based on compassion: To forgive or reduce a punishment for someone after considering their difficult circumstances or feelings, rather than strictly applying rules or judgment.

Usage Examples

• Verb Phrase:
  • Xin thầy lượng tình cho em lần này. (Please, teacher, have mercy on me this time.)
  • Tòa án đã lượng tình hoàn cảnh khó khăn của bị cáo. (The court showed leniency in consideration of the defendant's difficult situation.)
  • Anh ấy đã phạm lỗi, nhưng hãy lượng tình mà tha thứ. (He made a mistake, but please forgive him out of compassion.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a hierarchical or formal relationship where one party has the authority to judge or punish, and the other appeals for mercy. It is commonly used in pleas or requests for forgiveness.
• It carries a connotation of benevolent judgment, where human feeling () is allowed to temper strict justice ().

Variants and Related Words

• Lượng thứ (v): to pardon, to forgive. This is a more general term for forgiveness, with slightly less emphasis on compassionate consideration.
  • Xin bạn lượng thứ cho sự bất cẩn của tôi. (Please forgive my carelessness.)

Synonyms

• To show mercy: to act with compassion or forgiveness toward someone one has the power to punish.
• To be lenient: to be more merciful or tolerant than expected.
• To take extenuating circumstances into account: a formal expression for considering factors that lessen the severity of a fault.

Related Idioms

• Lý không bằng tình: Reason is not equal to sentiment; meaning that emotional bonds or compassion can outweigh strict logic or rules.
  • Trong gia đình, nhiều khi lý không bằng tình. (In families, often reason is not equal to sentiment.)

1. Pardon out of sympathy
   • lượng tình cho ai
     To pardon someone out of sympathy