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或许 (huò xǔ) — perhaps, maybe

Definition

或许 is a fairly formal 'perhaps/maybe' — slightly more written than 也许, and stronger / more speculative than 恐怕. Use it for neutral guesses, not polite worry.

adverb
perhapsmaybe

Examples

  • 或许，。
    Zhè jiàn shì huò xǔ shì zhēn de, dàn wǒ bú tài què dìng.
    This matter might be true, but I'm not too sure.
  • 或许，。
    Tā huò xǔ yǐ jīng chī guò fàn le, bú yòng děng tā le.
    He has maybe already eaten, so no need to wait for him.
  • ，或许。
    Rú guǒ xiàn zài chū fā, huò xǔ hái néng gǎn shàng zuì hòu yì bān chē.
    If we leave now, maybe we can still catch the last bus.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

或huòperhaps
许xǔperhaps

或 and 许 both suggest possibility, so together they mean perhaps.

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
戈戈gē
Sound part声符shēngfú
員
員yuán或huò
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

或 combines 戈, a weapon shape, with 員, which supplies the sound.

Open 或 →

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
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