The word 原谅 (yuánliàng), meaning "to forgive", is formed through a conceptual combination of its two component characters. The first character, 原, carries meanings of "origin", "source", or "to trace back to the root", suggesting a return to an original, unblemished state. The second, 谅, means "to understand", "to excuse", or "to presume goodwill". Together, they conceptually create the idea of "understanding someone by tracing matters back to their source or original intent", thereby allowing for the release of blame, which is the essence of forgiveness.