To atone is to do something that shows you are sorry for a wrong — not only to say sorry, but to try to put things right.

To atone atone是 to do something做一件事 that shows讓人看得出 you are sorry for a wrong你為做錯的事感到抱歉 — not only to say sorry不只是說對不起, but to try to put things right而是設法把事情導正。

People atone by telling the truth, paying someone back, or living differently after the harm. In religious talk, especially Christian talk, people atone for sin before God.

People atone人們贖罪的方式包括 by telling the truth說出實話, paying someone back賠償對方, or living differently after the harm或是在傷害之後換一種方式生活。In religious talk在宗教的說法裡, especially Christian talk尤其是基督教的說法, people atone人們是贖罪 for sin為罪 before God在上帝面前。

It is a serious, slightly old-fashioned verb. You would not usually atone for being five minutes late; you might atone for a betrayal.

It它 is a serious, slightly old-fashioned verb是一個嚴肅、有點老派的動詞。You你 would not usually atone通常不會為了...去atone for being five minutes late遲到五分鐘; you你 might atone可能會為了...去atone for a betrayal背叛。

Everyday English more often says make up for it or make amends. You atone for something (the for is almost always there).

Everyday English日常英文 more often says比較常說 make up for it make up for it or或 make amends make amends。You你 atone for something會說「atone for something」 (the for括號裡的for is almost always there幾乎都會出現)。

Though actually, atoning does not always mean the other person forgives you; it is the trying, not a guaranteed clean ending.

Though actually不過其實, atoning贖罪 does not always mean不一定代表 the other person forgives you對方會原諒你; it它 is the trying重點是你有去嘗試, not a guaranteed clean ending不保證會有乾淨圓滿的結局。