许 (xǔ) — to allow, to permit; to promise; (adverb) perhaps, maybe
Definition
许 covers two unrelated meanings: as a verb 'to allow/promise' (close to 允许 but more literary, also used in 许诺 'to promise'); as an adverb 'perhaps', interchangeable with 也许 and 或许 in formal writing.
verb
to allowto permitto promise
adverb
perhapsmaybe
Examples
- 。Lǎo shī bù xǔ xué shēng zài jiào shì lǐ chī dōng xī.The teacher doesn't allow students to eat in the classroom.
- 。Tā xǔ nuò míng tiān yì qǐ qù kàn diàn yǐng.He promised to go watch a movie together tomorrow.
- 。Tā yě xǔ bú huì lái le.He perhaps won't come.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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.
The traditional form 許 pairs 言, meaning speech or words, with 午 for its sound; 许 is a simplified form.
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