leniency
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leniency
Understanding and patient behavior toward other people's mistakes, weaknesses, or misconduct. It means not judging or punishing too harshly.
Bitte haben Sie Nachsicht mit mir, es ist mein erster Tag in diesem Job.
Please show leniency toward me; it’s my first day in this job.
to show leniency
A fixed expression meaning to be lenient and to show understanding for someone or a situation.
Der Lehrer übte Nachsicht und gab dem Schüler eine zweite Chance für die Prüfung.
The teacher showed leniency and gave the student a second chance on the exam.
The word is made up of 'nach' (after/beyond) and 'Sicht' (view). The idea behind it is that you do not stick with the first, strict impression ('Sicht'), but look beyond it ('nach') and judge more mildly.
Bei Anfängern sollte man immer etwas Nachsicht zeigen.
You should always show a little leniency toward beginners.
If you want to express whom someone is lenient with, use the preposition 'mit' followed by the dative. Another common phrase is 'um Nachsicht bitten' (to ask for leniency).
Der Chef hatte Nachsicht mit dem neuen Mitarbeiter.
The boss showed leniency toward the new employee.
'Nachsicht' (leniency) is a rather formal and polite word. It is often used in official apologies or when asking for understanding for a mistake or inconvenience.
Wir bitten um Ihre Nachsicht wegen der Bauarbeiten.
We ask for your leniency because of the construction work.
The combination 'Nachsicht üben' (to show leniency) is a very common fixed expression. It means to actively be lenient or to consciously choose a mild judgment.
Obwohl der Fehler groß war, entschied sich die Professorin, Nachsicht zu üben.
Although the mistake was serious, the professor decided to show leniency.
consideration
Both Rücksicht and Nachsicht show understanding for others. Rücksicht means taking a person's needs or feelings into account and adjusting your own behavior; Nachsicht mainly means not judging their mistakes or weaknesses too harshly. Use Rücksicht when it is about adapting your behavior, and Nachsicht when it is about forgiveness.
Die Lehrerin zeigte Nachsicht, als die Schülerin ihre Hausaufgaben zum ersten Mal vergessen hatte.
The teacher showed leniency when the student forgot her homework for the first time.
Aus Rücksicht auf die kranke Nachbarin stellte er die Musik leiser.
Out of consideration for the sick neighbor, he turned down the music.
