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默许 (mò xǔ) — tacitly consent to

Definition

Implies silent agreement through inaction or a nod — without saying 'yes' outright. Stronger than mere 默认 (going along by default); takes a direct object, usually a plan, request, or arrangement.

verb
tacitly consent to

Examples

  • ，默许。
    Gōng sī lǐng dǎo suī rán méi shuō huà, dàn yǐ jīng mò xǔ le tā de jì huà.
    The company leaders didn't say anything, but they had tacitly consented to his plan.
  • 默许，。
    Tā mò xǔ le hái zi de qǐng qiú, zhǐ shì diǎn le diǎn tóu.
    She tacitly consented to the child's request, just nodding.
  • 默许。
    Liǎng guó zhī jiān sì hū mò xǔ le zhè zhǒng mò qì de hé zuò fāng shì.
    Between the two countries, they seemed to have tacitly consented to this tacit way of cooperation.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

默mòsilent
许xǔallow

默 (silent) plus 许 (allow) forms tacit consent.

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
犬犬quǎndog
Sound part声符shēngfú
黑
黑hēi默mò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

默 pairs 黑 with 犬 (dog), and 黑 gives the sound.

Open 默 →

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
Will & Intention

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