📖 Meaning
An idiom meaning that someone's actions or opinions, though perhaps not ideal, are understandable and should not be harshly blamed. It conveys a sense of tolerance and fairness, acknowledging that the fault is minor or excusable given the circumstances.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase derives from the Han Dynasty work "Han Shu" (Book of Han), specifically the biography of Wang Mang. The scholar Yang Xiong used the expression to argue that Wang Mang's conduct, while flawed, did not deserve severe condemnation. The term "厚" means "heavy" or "severe," and "非" means "blame" or "criticism," together conveying that one need not apply heavy blame to what is only a minor shortcoming.
💡 Example Usage
他年纪轻轻就承担了这么重的责任，偶尔犯些小错误也是无可厚非的。
He took on such heavy responsibilities at such a young age; making a few small mistakes now and then is understandable and not worth criticizing.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 无可厚非
- Pinyin: wú kě hòu fēi
- Literal Translation: nothing can be heavily criticized
- Category: Attitude
- Characters: 4