照准 (zhào zhǔn) — to approve, to grant (a request, petition, etc.); to aim at, to target

Definition

Formal written verb with two distinct senses: (1) to approve or grant a request/petition, (2) to aim or target (a weapon or instrument). The approval sense is closer to 批准 but lighter—used mainly for lower-level or routine sign-offs.

verb
to approveto grant (a request, petition, etc.)to aim atto target

Examples

  • 照准。
    Shàng jí yǐ jīng zhào zhǔn le tā de cí zhí shēn qǐng.
    The superior has already approved his resignation request.
  • 照准。
    Shè shǒu yòng miáo zhǔn jìng zhào zhǔn mù biāo.
    The shooter aims at the target with a scope.
  • 照准。
    Zhè ge fāng àn xū yào dǒng shì huì zhào zhǔn cái néng shí shī.
    This plan needs the board's approval before it can be implemented.

Origin

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
灬Written in full as火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
昭
昭zhāo照zhào
Same sound today

照 uses 灬, a bottom form of 火 (fire), plus 昭 for the sound.

Open 照 →

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 準; 准 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐwater
Sound part声符shēngfú
隼
隼sǔn準zhǔn
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 準, not 准, pairs 水 (water) with 隼 as a sound part; the evidence describes it as 'water level'.

Open 准 →

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