无可厚非 wú kě hòu fēi Not to be criticized

Explanation

这个成语的意思是：不能过分责备，指说话做事虽有缺点，但还有可取之处，应予谅解。形容对人或事虽然有不足之处，但可以理解，不予苛责。

This idiom means: it is not possible to criticize excessively, meaning that although there are shortcomings in words and deeds, there are also merits that should be understood and tolerated. It describes that one should show understanding towards people or things, although they have shortcomings, and not be overly strict.

Origin Story

西汉末年，王莽篡位建立新朝，他为了巩固统治，推行了一系列改革措施，包括将西汉的诸侯王降为平民，将周边少数民族的王降为侯。然而，他的改革措施过于激进，引来了很多反对的声音。其中一位名叫冯英的大夫，上书劝谏王莽，认为他的改革措施劳民伤财，不利于国家长治久安。王莽听后勃然大怒，直接罢免了冯英的官职。后来，王莽逐渐意识到冯英的谏言并非无理取闹，而是出于对国家和百姓的真心关切。于是，他感叹道：“冯英的言论，也不能过分责备。”最终，王莽采纳了冯英的一些建议，调整了改革策略，避免了更大的灾难。

xī hàn mò nián, wáng mǎng chuàn wèi jiàn lì xīn cháo, tā wèi le gòng gù tǒng zhì, tuī xíng le yī xiè gǎi gé cuò shī, bāo kuò jiāng xī hàn de zhū hóu wáng jiàng wéi píng mín, jiāng zhōu biān shǎo shù mín zú de wáng jiàng wéi hóu. rán ér, tā de gǎi gé cuò shī guò yú jī jìn, yǐn lái le hěn duō fǎn duì de shēng yīn. qí zhōng yī wèi míng jiào féng yīng de dà fū, shàng shū quàn jiàn wáng mǎng, rèn wéi tā de gǎi gé cuò shī láo mín shāng cái, bù lì yú guó jiā cháng zhì jiǔ ān. wáng mǎng tīng hòu bó rán dà nù, zhí jiē bài miǎn le féng yīng de guān zhí. hòu lái, wáng mǎng zhú jiàn yì shí dào féng yīng de jiàn yán bìng fēi wú lǐ náo, ér shì chū yú duì guó jiā hé bǎi xìng de zhēn xīn guān qiè. yú shì, tā gǎn tàn dào: “féng yīng de yán lùn, yě bù néng guò fèn zé bèi.” zuì zhōng, wáng mǎng cǎi nǎ le féng yīng de yī xiē jiàn yì, tiáo zhěng le gǎi gé cè lüè, bì miǎn le gèng dà de zāi nàn.

In the late Western Han Dynasty, Wang Mang usurped the throne and established the Xin Dynasty. To consolidate his rule, he implemented a series of reform measures, including demotion of the princes of the Western Han Dynasty to civilians, and the reduction of surrounding minority kings to counts. However, his reform measures were too radical and drew a lot of opposition. Among those who opposed Wang Mang was a physician named Feng Ying, who wrote a letter advising Wang Mang that his reform measures were a drain on the people and finances, and would not be conducive to the long-term peace and stability of the country. Wang Mang was furious and immediately dismissed Feng Ying from his post. Later, Wang Mang gradually realized that Feng Ying's advice was not unreasonable, but came from genuine concern for the country and the people. So he sighed, "冯英的言论，也不能过分责备。" In the end, Wang Mang adopted some of Feng Ying's suggestions, adjusted his reform strategy, and avoided a greater disaster.

Usage

这个成语常用来评价他人的行为或言论，表示虽然有不足之处，但可以理解，不予苛责。例如，在工作中，同事犯了错误，但如果他的出发点是好的，我们就可以说“他的行为无可厚非”。

zhè ge chéng yǔ cháng yòng lái píng jià tā rén de xíng wéi huò yán lùn, biǎo shì suī rán yǒu bù zú zhī chù, dàn kě yǐ lǐ jiě, bù yǔ kē zé. lì rú, zài gōng zuò zhōng, tóng shì fàn le cuò wù, dàn rú guǒ tā de chū fā diǎn shì hǎo de, wǒ men jiù kě yǐ shuō “tā de xíng wéi wú kě hòu fēi”。

This idiom is often used to evaluate the behavior or remarks of others, expressing that although there are shortcomings, it is understandable and not to be criticized. For example, at work, if a colleague makes a mistake, but his starting point is good, we can say, "His behavior is not to be criticized."

Examples

• 他的行为虽然有些过失，但无可厚非。

  tā de xíng wéi suī rán yǒu xiē guò shī, dàn wú kě hòu fēi.

  Although he made some mistakes in his actions, it is not to be criticized.

• 虽然他的方法有些冒险，但无可厚非，毕竟取得了成功。

  suī rán tā de fāng fǎ yǒu xiē mào xiǎn, dàn wú kě hòu fēi, bì jìng qǔ dé le chéng gōng。

  Although his method was a little risky, it is not to be criticized, after all, he succeeded.

Related Idioms

• 无可非议

• 无可辩驳

• 无可指责

Opposite Idioms

• 吹毛求疵

• 鸡蛋里挑骨头