听任 (tīng rèn) — to allow, to let (especially without interference)

Definition

听任 means to let something happen without interfering — a formal written verb for passively allowing an outcome. Stronger and more literary than 允许 ('to permit'), which focuses on granting permission rather than standing aside.

verb
to allowto let (especially without interference)

Examples

  • 听任。
    Wǒ men bù néng tīng rèn zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng jì xù xià qù.
    We cannot allow this situation to continue.
  • 听任。
    Lǎo shī tīng rèn xué shēng zì yóu tǎo lùn.
    The teacher let the students discuss freely.
  • 听任。
    tīng rèn Zì rán fā zhǎn kě néng huì dài lái wèn tí.
    Allowing natural development may bring problems.

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.

听tīngallow
任rènallow

听 (allow) and 任 (allow) reinforce each other to mean letting something happen without interference.

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 聽; 听 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 聽 has 耳 (ear) and 口 (mouth), used for listening; the simplified 听 is a later shortened form unrelated to that picture.

Open 听 →

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
亻Written in full as人rénperson
Sound part声符shēngfú
壬
壬rén任rèn
Same sound today

任 pairs 亻, a person, with 壬, which may picture a shoulder pole turned sideways.

Open 任 →

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