# 既往不咎

jì wǎng bù jiù

Let past mistakes go without pursuing blame

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Do not blame what has already passed

**Register:** Conciliatory · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Express willingness to stop holding earlier wrongdoing against someone.

Forgiveness does not automatically cancel repair, accountability, or future rules.

## Understanding the expression

The phrase separates past conduct from the next stage of a relationship or arrangement. A person or organization agrees not to keep pursuing blame for what has already happened. That can make reconciliation possible, especially when someone admits the mistake and changes course. It is a declaration about treatment of the past, not proof that the harm was trivial. Clear future expectations can accompany this decision to move on.

## Examples

你把资料补齐，这次迟交我既往不咎。

### Traditional Chinese

你把資料補齊，這次遲交我既往不咎。

nǐ bǎ zī liào bǔ qí ， zhè cì chí jiāo wǒ jì wǎng bù jiù 。

Complete the materials, and I will let this late submission go.

双方决定既往不咎，重新合作。

### Traditional Chinese

雙方決定既往不咎，重新合作。

shuāng fāng jué dìng jì wǎng bù jiù ， chóng xīn hé zuò 。

Both sides decided to put past grievances aside and cooperate again.

他愿意既往不咎，但要求以后坦诚沟通。

### Traditional Chinese

他願意既往不咎，但要求以後坦誠溝通。

tā yuàn yì jì wǎng bù jiù ， dàn yāo qiú yǐ hòu tǎn chéng gōu tōng 。

He is willing to let the past go but asks for honest communication in future.

我们既往不咎，不代表以后可以继续违规。

### Traditional Chinese

我們既往不咎，不代表以後可以繼續違規。

wǒ men jì wǎng bù jiù ， bú dài biǎo yǐ hòu kě yǐ jì xù wéi guī 。

Letting past violations go does not mean future violations are acceptable.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%97%A2%E5%BE%80%E4%B8%8D%E5%92%8E)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=386&webMd=1&la=0)

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