Usage of 饶 (ráo)
饶 has two main meanings: to forgive or spare someone, and to describe something as abundant or fertile. When used to mean 'forgive' or 'spare,' it often appears in contexts where someone is asking for mercy or leniency, such as 请你饶了我 (please spare me). This usage is common in both spoken and written Chinese.
As an adjective, 饶 describes richness or abundance, especially in natural resources like land or food. For example, 饶土 means fertile land. This meaning is more formal and often found in literary or descriptive contexts.
Common collocations
- 饶恕 (ráoshù): to forgive, to pardon
- 饶有兴趣 (ráo yǒu xìngqù): with great interest
- 饶富 (ráofù): abundant and rich
Notes
饶 as a verb meaning 'to forgive' is often used in imperative or pleading sentences. It differs from 赦 (shè) which is more formal and legalistic. 饶 also appears in idiomatic expressions and fixed phrases.
Avoid confusing 饶 with 饶舌 (ráoshé), which means 'talkative' or 'glib,' though they share the same first character.