forgiveness
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forgiveness
The act of forgiving someone for a mistake, a wrong, or an offense and giving up resentment or revenge.
Nach dem langen Streit war die Vergebung ein wichtiger Schritt zur Versöhnung.
After the long argument, forgiveness was an important step toward reconciliation.
'Die Vergebung' (forgiveness) comes from the verb 'vergeben' (to forgive). This consists of the prefix 'ver-' and the verb 'geben' (to give). The ending '-ung' turns it into a feminine noun.
Es fiel ihm schwer, seinem Freund zu vergeben.
It was hard for him to forgive his friend.
When you ask someone to forgive you, you use the fixed expression 'um Vergebung bitten' (to ask for forgiveness). The preposition 'um' is a fixed part of this expression.
Nach dem Streit hat er sie angerufen, um Vergebung zu bitten.
After the argument, he called her to ask for forgiveness.
When forgiveness is granted, the person who is forgiven is in the dative. Typical verbs are 'jemandem Vergebung schenken' (to give someone forgiveness) or 'jemandem Vergebung gewähren' (to grant someone forgiveness).
Sie konnte ihm seine Untreue nicht vergeben und schenkte ihm keine Vergebung.
She could not forgive him for his infidelity and gave him no forgiveness.
The word 'Vergebung' (forgiveness) often has a strong religious or spiritual meaning. A very common collocation in this context is 'die Vergebung der Sünden' (the forgiveness of sins).
Im Gebet bat er um die Vergebung seiner Sünden.
In prayer, he asked for the forgiveness of his sins.
apology / excuse
'die Entschuldigung' and 'die Vergebung' are both connected to a mistake or an offense. 'die Entschuldigung' is what the person who did something wrong says. 'die Vergebung' is the forgiveness by the other person, or the request for it. 'Vergebung' sounds stronger and more serious than 'Entschuldigung' and is more appropriate for major mistakes, guilt, or very personal situations. The words can be confused because after an apology, people often hope for forgiveness. In short: an apology comes from the wrongdoer; forgiveness comes from the person who was hurt.
Nach dem langen Streit hofft sie auf die Vergebung ihrer Freundin.
After the long argument, she hopes for her friend's forgiveness.
Nach dem Essen bittet Mehmet seine Mutter um Entschuldigung.
After the meal, Mehmet apologizes to his mother.