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容许 (róng xǔ) — to permit, to allow

Definition

Written/formal 'to permit,' close in meaning to 允许 and 准许 — used in laws, rules, and abstract contexts (e.g. 时间容许的话). 让 is the everyday spoken choice.

verb
to permitto allow

Examples

  • 。
    Fǎ lǜ bù róng xǔ rèn hé xíng shì de qí shì.
    The law does not permit any form of discrimination.
  • 容许，。
    Rú guǒ nín róng xǔ de huà, wǒ xiǎng tí yí gè wèn tí.
    If you allow, I would like to raise a question.
  • 容许，。
    Shí jiān róng xǔ de huà, wǒ men míng tiān zài tǎo lùn.
    If time permits, we will discuss it again tomorrow.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

容róngallow
许xǔpermit

容 and 许 both mean allow, together giving the sense of permit.

Characters in this word

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
公
公gōng容róng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 容, the 宀 (roof) part points to holding or containing, and 公 gives the sound.

Open 容 →

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9

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