稍许 (shāo xǔ) — slightly; a little; somewhat

Definition

A literary/formal adverb meaning 'slightly; a little' — used in writing more than everyday speech, where 一点 or 一些 sound more natural.

adverb

slightlya littlesomewhat

稍许。
Zhè ge jià gé shāo xǔ guì le yì xiē.
This price is slightly more expensive.
稍许，。
Tiān qì shāo xǔ biàn lěng le, nǐ duō chuān diǎn yī fu.
The weather has gotten a little colder; wear more clothes.
稍许。
Tā de tài dù shāo xǔ yǒu suǒ gǎi shàn.
His attitude has improved somewhat.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

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

许xǔa little

稍 and 许 both signal a small degree, so the word means slightly or somewhat.

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.

禾肖稍

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

肖

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

稍 combines 禾 and 肖: 禾 is the part tied to the character's meaning, and 肖 is the part tied to its sound.

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.

言午許

Meaning part形符xíngfú

言言yánspeech; words

Sound part声符shēngfú

午

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.

Appears in