show mercy; grant a favor
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to show mercy; to grant a favor; to bestow kindness
formalTypically used when pleading for leniency or mercy. Can be reduplicated as '开开恩' (kāi kai ēn) in informal pleading. Often appears in fixed phrases like '求您开恩'.
qiú求
nín您
kāi开
kāi开
ēn恩
，
ráo饶
le了
wǒ我
zhè这
huí回
。
Please show mercy and let me off this time.
fǎ法
guān官
kāi开
ēn恩
，
jiǎn减
qīng轻
le了
tā他
de的
xíng刑
fá罚
。
The judge showed leniency and reduced his sentence.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
qiú求
lǎo老
ye爷
kāi开
ēn恩
，
fàng放
wǒ我
yī一
tiáo条
shēng生
lù路
。
I beg you, sir, to show mercy and spare my life.