許 meaning and stroke order
To consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth
How to write 許, stroke by stroke
11 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
Meaning of 許
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to allow
- to permit
- to promise
- to praise
- somewhat
- perhaps
How 許 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Speech.
言 gives the meaning and 午 hints at the sound.
Radical: 言 (words), shared by 155 characters on this site.
How to remember 許
許 is built from 言 (speech) on the left and 午 (wǔ) on the right, which hints at the sound. Think of giving permission with words: you say "yes" and something is allowed.
許 appears mostly inside words. It can mean "allow" as in 允許 (yǔnxǔ) and 不許 (bùxǔ), "many" as in 許多 (xǔduō), or "maybe" as in 也許 (yěxǔ) and 或許 (huòxǔ). Example: 這裡不許抽煙。(Zhèlǐ bùxǔ chōuyān.) Smoking is not allowed here.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse the right side 午 (wǔ) with 牛 (niú, cow). 午 has no stroke poking through the top. Also remember the tone is third tone xǔ, not xū.
Common words with 許
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 也許 | yěxǔ | perhaps; maybe | HSK 2 |
| 許多 | xǔduō | many; a lot of | HSK 2 |
| 或許 | huòxǔ | perhaps; maybe | HSK 4 |
| 不許 | bùxǔ | not to allow; must not | HSK 5 |
| 許可 | xǔkě | to allow; to permit | HSK 5 |
| 允許 | yǔnxǔ | to permit; to allow | HSK 6 |
| 准許 | zhǔnxǔ | to allow; to grant | HSK 7-9 |
| 許可證 | xǔkězhèng | license; authorization | HSK 7-9 |
| 容許 | róngxǔ | to permit; to allow | HSK 7-9 |
| 讚許 | zànxǔ | to praise; to laud | HSK 7-9 |
| 許願 | xǔyuàn | to make a wish; to make a vow | |
| 許諾 | xǔnuò | to promise; to pledge | |
| 許下 | xǔxià | to make a promise | |
| 少許 | shǎoxǔ | a little; a few |
Questions about 許
How many strokes are in 許?
許 is written with 11 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 許 mean?
許 (xǔ) means to consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth. A common word with it is 也许 (yěxǔ), meaning "perhaps; maybe".
How do you pronounce 許?
許 is pronounced xǔ, in the third tone (dipping).
What is the radical of 許?
The radical of 許 is 言, which carries the idea of "words". Dictionaries list 許 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 許?
許 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 许, used in mainland China and Singapore.
What is the difference between 也許 and 或許?
Both mean "perhaps" or "maybe." 也許 (yěxǔ) is more common in everyday speech. 或許 (huòxǔ) sounds a little more formal or written.
Is 許 also a surname?
Yes. 許 (Xǔ) is a common Chinese family name. You will often see it in names, such as 許先生 (Xǔ xiānsheng), Mr. Xu.