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In a number of shows, "I won't forgive you" or some variation is used as a
threat. Rukia uses it when she is trying to keep Ichigo to follow her into the
Soul Society, saying, "If you follow me, I will never forgive you." It is used
similarly in other shows. In Vampire Knight, Kaien Cross says to Kaname that,
if he makes Yuuki cry, he will never forgive him.

This doesn't seem to be used in Western television, or at least not to the
same amount as it is in anime. Is this a part of Japanese culture or is this
something that originated in anime/manga? If it did originate in anime/manga,
where did it first appear?


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tropes culture japanese-language
Why is "I won't forgive you" a commonly used threat?


It's a culture thing, and it's kinda like a fixed phrase, which is not
translated accurately into English. If you can understand a little Chinese,
its true meaning is 我饶不了你, in which 我(means _I_ ) 饶不了(means _won't forgive_ )
你(means _you_ ), and the meaning is perfectly translated.

Its true meaning in English is more like this: _I will not absolve you from
guilt_ or _I will not remit your punishment_! (but these are too strong)

For your better understanding, this phrase suggests that _if you do anything
unpleasant to me, I will remember that one and find a way to make you pay._

PS: Even so it's supposed to be a threat, but this phrase is used between "
_frienemies_ " in many cases. For a instance, _A_ doesn't want his partner-
like rival _B_ risks his( _B_ 's) life to save him( _A_ ), then _A_ may say _I
will never forgive you if you risk your own life to save mine_.


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It really comes down to awkward translation.

許さない ( _yurusanai_ ) is the word being used. This is the negative form of the
Japanese verb for "to forgive", which also has other nuances and can mean to
permit or accept something. Despite it seeming odd this is a natural enough
expression in Japanese; however, it presents a bit of a dilemma for
translators. Some will try and translate literally despite the awkwardness,
while others might try and come up with a more natural phrase for the
situation.

Other possible translation styles could be things like

  * I won't stand for...
  * ...is unacceptable.
  * This time it's personal! (a bit of a stretch but in the context of a prelude to a fight it pretty much serves the same function)


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My interpretation of the phrase "I'll never forgive you" isn't nearly as
analytical as the others. As you know a lot of Japanese phases are said
differently in English(can't think of an example). Anyway even after the more
precise translation I still didn't get it until I read a fanmade Manga then I
was like "okay so them saying that is the equivalent of this." That being
"I'll never forgive you." This being "I hate you" or "I'll kill you." That's
what I think it is.


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