兴许 (xīng xǔ) — perhaps, maybe

Definition

兴许 (xīngxu) is a colloquial 'perhaps / maybe' — slightly more literary than 也许, common in both speech and writing. Adverb: place before the verb or whole clause.

adverb
perhapsmaybe

Examples

  • 兴许，。
    xīng xǔ Tā huì lái, dàn wǒ bú què dìng.
    Perhaps he will come, but I'm not sure.
  • 兴许，。
    Nǐ xīng xǔ bù zhī dào, zhè jiàn shì yǐ jīng chǔ lǐ hǎo le.
    You might not know, but this matter has already been handled.
  • 兴许，。
    Míng tiān xīng xǔ yào xià yǔ, bié wàng le dài sǎn.
    It might rain tomorrow, so don't forget to bring an umbrella.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

兴xīngperhaps
许xǔperhaps

兴 and 许 both suggest possibility, so together they mean “maybe.”

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 興; 兴 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 興 shows four hands lifting an object; the simplified 兴 is not the form described.

Open 兴 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 許; 许 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech; words
Sound part声符shēngfú
午
午wǔ許xǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 許 pairs 言, meaning speech or words, with 午 for its sound; 许 is a simplified form.

Open 许 →

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