不计前嫌
bù jì qián xián
to let bygones be bygones; to forgive past grievances
Character by character
不bù
not
not
计jì
reckon
reckon
前qián
former
former
嫌xián
grudge
grudge
Example
他不计前嫌，在老对手最困难的时候帮了他一把。
Letting bygones be bygones, he helped his old rival out when things were at their worst.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Praises someone who sets an old grudge aside, usually to help or cooperate with the other party. Often 能否不计前嫌 or 不计前嫌，握手言和. Close to 既往不咎, which is said by the side with power to punish.
Learn this in Lesson 126 · HSK 7–9: 北京握手 (International news: the handshake in Beijing)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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