mercy
gb/mˈɚsi/ us/mˈɚsi/
B1
Angličtina
~ 8200
kegyelem, irgalom, szerencse, isteni irgalom, te jó ég, jaj
PODSTATNÉ JMÉNO
B1
1
Vzorec užití:
to show mercy to [someone]
The judge showed mercy and gave him a shorter sentence.
A bíró kegyelmet gyakorolt, és enyhébb büntetést szabott ki rá.
They begged for mercy, but the soldiers refused to listen.
Kegyelemért könyörögtek, de a katonák nem hallgattak rájuk.
She decided to show no mercy to companies that cheated their customers.
Out of mercy, the doctor spoke gently when giving the bad news.
He threw himself on the mercy of the court and admitted everything.
Učební příklady
The king showed mercy and did not kill the man.
A király kegyelmet gyakorolt, és nem végeztette ki a férfit.
The teacher had mercy and did not give us extra homework.
A tanár megkegyelmezett nekünk, és nem adott plusz házi feladatot.
The prisoner asked for mercy before the punishment.
Please have mercy on him; he is just a child.
She is known for her mercy to poor people.
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes confuse "mercy" with "pity". "Mercy" usually involves power and a choice about punishment (a judge shows mercy), while "pity" is mainly a feeling of sadness for someone. Also, learners often say *"have mercy of someone"*; the correct preposition is "on": "have mercy on someone".
Význam
kindness instead of punishment
Kolokace
show mercy
|have mercy
|beg for mercy
|ask for mercy
|show no mercy
|plead for mercy
Synonyma
leniency (Focuses on reducing punishment, especially in legal or official situations; slightly more formal.)
|
compassion (Emphasizes feeling and concern for another's suffering; not always about punishment or power.)
|
clemency (A formal or legal term for mercy shown by someone in authority, such as a judge or government.)
Antonyma
cruelty (Stresses taking pleasure in causing pain or suffering instead of showing mercy.)
|
harshness (Emphasizes being very strict or severe, especially in punishment, without mercy.)
|
ruthlessness (Complete lack of mercy or pity, especially when making hard decisions.)
Témata
emotions
|law
|religion
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definice
Kind and forgiving treatment when you could punish or hurt someone but choose not to.
Kind or forgiving treatment of someone over whom you have power, especially by not punishing them as severely as you could.
PODSTATNÉ JMÉNO
B2
2
szerencse
A2
Vzorec užití:
it is a mercy that [clause]
It was a mercy that the children were asleep when the fire started.
Kész szerencse volt, hogy a gyerekek aludtak, amikor kitört a tűz.
By a mercy, the storm changed direction at the last minute.
Szerencsére a vihar az utolsó pillanatban irányt változtatott.
The cool wind was a mercy after such a hot day.
We should be thankful for small mercies, like having power back even if the internet is still down.
Her quick thinking was a real mercy in a dangerous situation.
Učební příklady
It was a mercy that nobody died in the accident.
Kész szerencse volt, hogy senki sem halt meg a balesetben.
The rain stopped, and that was a big mercy for the players.
Elállt az eső, és ez nagy szerencse volt a játékosoknak.
After hours of walking, the bus was a mercy.
We lost money, but it was a mercy that we did not lose our house.
The shade from the tree was a mercy in the hot sun.
Častá chyba:
Learners may try to say *"it was mercy"* without an article. In this sense, English usually uses "a" or "the": "It was a mercy that no one was hurt." Also, some learners confuse this with the main meaning of "mercy" as kindness; here it refers to the event or situation itself, not to a person's character.
Význam
a lucky relief from harm
Kolokace
a mercy that
|small mercies
|it was a mercy
|thank heaven for small mercies
|by a mercy
Synonyma
blessing (Commonly used to describe something very good or helpful in life; often more positive and thankful in tone.)
|
relief (Focuses on the feeling when pain, worry, or danger becomes less or stops.)
|
saving grace (A feature that makes a generally bad situation or person better; slightly more idiomatic.)
Antonyma
misfortune (A bad or unlucky event instead of a good or lucky mercy.)
|
disaster (A very serious bad event, the opposite of a mercy that prevents great harm.)
Témata
daily life
|luck
|safety
|core_vocabulary
Definice
A good or lucky thing that stops something very bad or painful from happening, or makes it less bad.
A fortunate event or situation that prevents something worse from happening or makes suffering less severe.
PODSTATNÉ JMÉNO
B2
FORMAL
3
Vzorec užití:
the mercy of God toward [someone]
They prayed for God's mercy during the war.
A háború alatt Isten irgalmáért imádkoztak.
Many hymns speak about the mercy of God toward sinners.
Sok egyházi ének szól Istennek a bűnösök iránti irgalmáról.
She believed it was only by divine mercy that she survived the illness.
The sermon focused on the balance between justice and mercy.
He threw himself on the mercy of God, asking for a new beginning.
Učební příklady
They thanked God for His mercy.
Hálát adtak Istennek az irgalmáért.
The priest talked about God's mercy and love.
A pap Isten irgalmáról és szeretetéről beszélt.
In many religions, people ask for mercy when they pray.
She believes she is alive because of God's mercy.
The book tells a story about sin and mercy.
Častá chyba:
Learners may not realize that in religious writing, "mercy" is often capitalized in some styles ("Divine Mercy") when used as a name for a special idea or devotion. In general English, it is not capitalized.
Význam
God's forgiveness and kindness
Kolokace
God's mercy
|the mercy of God
|pray for mercy
|divine mercy
|trust in His mercy
Synonyma
grace (A key religious term, especially in Christianity, for free and undeserved kindness from God; often broader than mercy.)
|
forgiveness (Focuses on letting go of blame for sin or mistakes; not always specifically divine.)
|
compassion (Emotional concern for suffering; in religious use, stresses God's tender care.)
Antonyma
judgment (In religious language, the act of God punishing sin instead of showing mercy.)
|
wrath (Strong, often divine anger that leads to punishment, opposed to mercy and forgiveness.)
Témata
religion
|emotions
|ethics
|core_vocabulary
Definice
In religion, the loving forgiveness and help that God gives to people, even when they do not deserve it.
In religious contexts, the forgiveness, kindness, and protection that God or a divine being shows toward human beings, especially when they have done wrong.
B2
INFORMAL
4
“Mercy!” she cried as the dog jumped up on her.
„Te jó ég!” – kiáltotta, amikor a kutya felugrott rá.
“Lord, have mercy, that was close,” he said after the car almost hit them.
„Te jó ég, ez hajszálon múlt!” – mondta, miután az autó majdnem elütötte őket.
“Mercy me, I forgot her birthday again,” he muttered.
The crowd shouted, “Have mercy!” when they saw the player was badly hurt.
“Mercy, that exam was hard,” one student whispered to another.
Učební příklady
“Mercy!” the girl shouted when the ball flew at her face.
„Jaj!” – kiáltotta a lány, amikor a labda az arca felé repült.
“Lord, have mercy, this bag is heavy,” he said.
„Te jó ég, de nehéz ez a táska!” – mondta.
“Mercy me, I am late again,” she said.
People cried, “Have mercy!” when they saw the man in pain.
He laughed and said, “Mercy, that roller coaster was scary.”
Častá chyba:
Learners may overuse this exclamation in modern English. In many places it sounds old-fashioned or very regional. In everyday conversation, people more often say things like "Oh my God", "Wow", or "Oh no" instead of "Mercy!".
Význam
exclamation of pleading or shock
Kolokace
Mercy!
|Lord, have mercy!
|Mercy me!
Synonyma
please (Used more generally to make a polite request; does not usually show fear or shock like "Mercy!".)
|
oh my (Expresses surprise or shock but does not ask for leniency.)
Antonyma
good! (A positive exclamation of approval, opposite in emotional tone to a fearful or shocked "Mercy!".)
Témata
emotions
|conversation
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definice
A short word you say to ask someone not to hurt or punish you, or to show you are very surprised or shocked.
An exclamation used to ask urgently for lenient treatment or, more commonly today, to express strong surprise, shock, or concern.
Gramatika
Slovníkový tvar
mercy
IPA
GB/mˈɚsi/
US/mˈɚsi/
Slabiky a přízvuk
mercy (1 slabika)
Stress on 1st syllable (mercy)
Tvary slova
Noun
- Base: mercy
- Plural: mercies, mercy
Příbuzná slova
Výrazy
at the mercy of
1/ˈæt ðə mˈɚsi əv/
idiom
completely controlled by something
To be in a situation where you cannot control what happens, and another person or thing can easily harm or help you.
Příklady
- The small boat was at the mercy of the stormy sea.
- Without savings, they were at the mercy of their employer.
- Refugees are often at the mercy of people smugglers.
do [someone] a mercy
1/dˈu sˈʌmwˌʌn ə mˈɚsi/
fixed phrase
do a kind relieving act
To do something kind that helps someone, often by ending something that is hard or unpleasant for them.
Příklady
- Do me a mercy and turn that music down.
- The vet did the old dog a mercy and put her to sleep.
- If you really want to do him a mercy, tell him the truth.
God have mercy (on us/you/them)
1/ɡˈɑd hˈæv mˈɚsi ˈɔn əsiˈʌθəm/
fixed phrase
formal
prayer for God's forgiveness or help
A religious way to ask God to forgive or protect someone, especially in danger or after doing wrong.
Příklady
- “God have mercy on us,” she whispered as the earthquake shook the house.
- The priest said, “God have mercy on his soul,” at the funeral.
- People cried, “God have mercy on them,” when they heard about the disaster.
have mercy on [someone]
1/hˈæv mˈɚsi ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
treat kindly, not punish
To be kind to someone when you could punish or hurt them, and not be too strict or hard.
Příklady
- Please have mercy on him; he made a stupid mistake but he is not a bad person.
- The landlord had mercy on the family and gave them more time to pay the rent.
- He hoped the coach would have mercy on him after he missed the winning shot.
leave [someone] at the mercy of
1/lˈiv sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈæt ðə mˈɚsi əv/
fixed phrase
expose someone to uncontrolled power
To put someone in a situation where they cannot protect themselves and another person or thing can easily hurt or control them.
Příklady
- The broken locks left the residents at the mercy of thieves.
- Cutting the budget will leave many people at the mercy of loan sharks.
- Abandoning the project would leave the villagers at the mercy of flooding.
Lord, have mercy
1/lˈɔɹd | hˈæv mˈɚsi/
fixed phrase
religious or emotional exclamation
A phrase used to ask God for help or forgiveness, or to show strong surprise, fear, or shock.
Příklady
- “Lord, have mercy, what happened here?” the neighbor asked.
- In the service the choir sang, “Lord, have mercy on us.”
- “Lord, have mercy, that exam was impossible,” he said as he left the room.
mercy killing
1/mˈɚsi kˈɪlɪŋ/
fixed phrase
killing to end suffering
The act of killing a person or animal who is suffering very much, in order to stop their pain; also called euthanasia.
Příklady
- The film raised difficult questions about mercy killing and the right to die.
- Some people support mercy killing, while others strongly oppose it for moral reasons.
- The vet suggested a mercy killing because the horse was in constant pain.
mercy me
1/mˈɚsi mˈi/
idiom
informal
old-fashioned surprise exclamation
An old-fashioned phrase you say when you are very surprised or shocked, but not usually angry.
Příklady
- “Mercy me, look how tall you've grown!” his grandmother said.
- “Mercy me, I didn't expect to see you here,” she laughed.
show mercy
1/ʃˈoʊ mˈɚsi/
fixed phrase
behave with forgiveness or kindness
To act in a kind and forgiving way, especially by not giving a very hard punishment.
Příklady
- The committee showed mercy and allowed her to retake the exam.
- They begged the king to show mercy to the prisoners.
- Doctors asked the government to show mercy and allow the child into the country for treatment.
small mercies
1/smˈɔl mˈɚsiz/
idiom
little things to be thankful for
Small good things that make a bad or difficult situation a little better.
Příklady
- The train was late, but at least it wasn't cancelled; we should be grateful for small mercies.
- The weather was terrible, but the power stayed on—one of the few small mercies that week.
throw yourself on [someone]'s mercy
1/θɹˈoʊ jʊɹsˈɛlf ˈɔn sˈoʊmˈoʊnz mˈɚsi/
idiom
rely completely on someone's kindness
To ask someone who has power over you to decide what happens to you, hoping they will be kind and not too hard.
Příklady
- He decided to confess everything and throw himself on the mercy of the court.
- With no money and no lawyer, she threw herself on the mercy of the judge.
- Realizing he had no defense, he threw himself on his boss's mercy.
beg for mercy
1/bˈɛɡ fɚ mˈɚsi/
fixed phrase
ask not to be punished harshly
To ask someone strongly and emotionally not to hurt you or punish you too much.
Příklady
- The prisoner begged for mercy before sentencing.
- The man fell to his knees and begged for mercy.
- He begged for mercy when he saw the angry crowd.
- They begged for mercy, but the dictator ignored them.
- In the story, the defeated soldiers beg for mercy from their enemies.