Meaning of 许可
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to allow
- to permit
How to use 许可
许可 is formal and appears in rules, notices, official documents, and as a noun meaning a permit or permission. In everyday speech people usually say 可以 or 让 instead. Example: 未经许可，不得入内。 (Wèi jīng xǔkě, bù dé rù nèi.) No entry without permission.
许 (xǔ) has the speech radical 讠, so picture someone giving a spoken yes. Add 可 (kě), the same 可 as in 可以 (kěyǐ, may), and you get a word that means saying you may do it: to allow or permit.
Common mistake: Learners often use 许可 in casual requests like 你许可我走吗, which sounds stiff and odd. Use 可以 or 让 in daily conversation. Also note 许 is third tone (xǔ), not xū or xù.
许可 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
许 xǔ · to allow · 6 strokes
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可 kě · can · 5 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 许可.
| 可以 | kěyǐ | can; may |
| 可能 | kěnéng | might (happen); possible |
| 也许 | yěxǔ | perhaps; maybe |
| 可是 | kěshì | but; however; (used for emphasis) indeed |
| 可爱 | kě'ài | adorable; cute |
| 可怕 | kěpà | awful; dreadful |
| 许多 | xǔduō | many; a lot of |
| 可靠 | kěkào | reliable |
| 可乐 | kělè | amusing; entertaining |
| 认可 | rènkě | to approve; approval |
| 或许 | huòxǔ | perhaps; maybe |
| 可见 | kějiàn | it can clearly be seen (that this is the case); it is (thus) clear |
Questions about 许可
What does 许可 mean?
许可 (xǔkě) means "to allow; to permit" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 许可?
许可 is made of 2 characters: 许 (6 strokes), 可 (5 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 许可 an HSK word?
Yes. 许可 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 许可 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 许可 is written 許可.
What is the difference between 许可 and 允许?
Both mean to allow. 允许 (yǔnxǔ) is more common and works in both speech and writing, for example 妈妈不允许我玩手机. 许可 is more formal and often refers to official permission or a license.
How do you say permit or license using 许可?
Add 证 (zhèng) to make 许可证 (xǔkězhèng), a permit or license document. You will see it in phrases like 营业许可证 (yíngyè xǔkězhèng), a business license.