许许多多 (xǔ xǔ duō duō) — (state word) very many; lots and lots of

Definition

Reduplicated bound form meaning 'very many, countless' — a more emphatic, written alternative to 多. It cannot stand alone and must modify a noun.

bound form

(state word) very manylots and lots of

Examples

许许多多，。
Guǎng chǎng shàng yǒu xǔ xǔ duō duō rén, fēi cháng rè nao.
There are lots and lots of people in the square; it's very lively.
许许多多，。
Tā dú guò xǔ xǔ duō duō shū, zhī shi hěn fēng fù.
He has read very many books and has rich knowledge.
许许多多，。
Tā dài lái le xǔ xǔ duō duō lǐ wù, fēn gěi měi gè rén.
She brought lots and lots of gifts and gave them to everyone.

Origin

Reduplicated word

构词法gòucífǎ

重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

许许

许xǔmany许xǔmany

多多

多duōmany多duōmany

'许' and '多' both mean many; repeating them emphasizes a large amount.

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.

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

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 →