许 Stroke Order — How to Write 许
许 is written in 6 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 讠, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
许 Radical and Character Components
许 is a phono-semantic compound: 讠 (speech) carries the meaning, while 午 indicates the sound.
Radical: 讠 + 4 more strokes
许 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- xǔ
- hǔ
Meanings of 许 in Chinese
1
xǔ许
To permit; to allow; to approve.
老师不许学生在课堂上玩手机。
The teacher does not allow students to play with phones in class.
To admit or acknowledge the merits of someone or something; to praise or approve.
老师对这次活动的成功给予了极大的赞许。
The teacher gave great approval for the success of this event.
To promise or agree to give something beforehand; to pledge.
他向我许下诺言，说会帮助我。
He made a promise to me, saying he would help me.
To agree to marry; to promise oneself (in marriage).
她最终决定以身相许，与他共度一生。
She finally decided to promise herself to him and spend her life with him.
perhaps; maybe; possibly; or
我们或许可以一起去公园散步。
Perhaps we can go for a walk in the park together.
Place; where (often used in phrases like '何许' to inquire about origin or location).
此物来自何许？
Where did this item come from?
Used as a word indicating an approximate estimate, meaning 'a few' or 'a little'.
请在汤里加少许盐。
Please add a little salt to the soup.
Such; so much; to this extent (indicating a certain quantity or degree).
她凭借努力，取得了如许的成就，令人赞叹
Through her efforts, she achieved such accomplishments, which is truly admirable.
An ancient state during the Zhou dynasty in China, located in the eastern part of present-day Xuchang City, Henan Province.
春秋时期，许国是中原地区的一个小诸侯国。
During the Spring and Autumn period, the State of Xu was a small vassal state in the Central Plains region.
2
hǔ许
The sound made by a group of people exerting effort together, often used in the reduplicated form 'hǔhǔ'.
大家齐心协力，喊着许许的声音，终于把大石头搬动了
Everyone worked together, shouting 'huhu' (the sound of collective effort), and finally moved the big stone.
Common Words and Phrases with 许
1
Xuchang (Hsuchang) is a city in north-central Henan province, China. It is a major tobacco distribution center and an industrial hub, known for cigarette and machinery production, and has historical sites.
许昌的春天，樱花盛开，吸引了许多游客前来观赏。
In spring, Xuchang's cherry blossoms are in full bloom, attracting many tourists to enjoy the scenery.
2
3
to permit; to allow; to agree
父母许和孩子在周末看动画片。
Parents allow their children to watch cartoons on weekends.
4
To affiance; to promise in marriage.
在一些传统家庭中，孩子可能很小就被父母许婚了。
In some traditional families, children might be betrothed by their parents at a very young age.
5
for a long time; for ages
我们许久不见了，都很想念对方。
We haven't seen each other for a long time, and we both miss each other very much.
6
7
to promise; to make a promise; to give an assurance
她许诺会准时到达派对。
She promised to arrive at the party on time.
8
To formally promise someone in marriage; to affiance.
她从小就被许配给了隔壁村的一个善良小伙。
She was betrothed to a kind young man from the neighboring village since childhood.
9
to accept a marriage proposal
她父母已经将她许亲给王家公子了
Her parents have already promised her in marriage to the young master of the Wang family.
10
To make a wish or vow, often to a deity or a higher power, hoping for its fulfillment.
她在生日那天向流星许愿，希望家人都健康平安。
On her birthday, she made a wish upon a shooting star, hoping for her family's health and safety.
11
To affiance; to give a daughter in marriage.
在古代，父母常常会为自己的女儿许字给合适的人家。
In ancient times, parents often betrothed their daughters to suitable families.
More words with 许
- huò或xǔ许Perhaps; maybe; possibly.
- yún允xǔ许to permit or allow
- xiē些xǔ许a little; a bit; a small amount
- yě也xǔ许Perhaps; maybe.
- jiā嘉xǔ许praise; commendation; approval
- shāo稍xǔ许a little; a trifle; slightly
- zàn赞xǔ许to praise and show approval
- mò默xǔ许tacit consent, acquiescence
- kuā夸xǔ许praise; commend
- sháo少xǔ许a little, a small amount
- xǔ许duō多rén人Many people, A lot of people
- bù不xǔ许forbid, prohibit
- xīng兴xǔ许perhaps, maybe
- xǔ许duō多nián年many years, a lot of years
- zhún准xǔ许permit, allow
- jí几xǔ许How much, How many
- qī期xǔ许expectation, hope
- róng容xǔ许allow, permit
- bèi被yún允xǔ许allowed, permitted
- bù不róng容xǔ许Not allowed, Forbidden
Idioms with 许
- xǔ许xǔ许duō多duō多a great many
- xǔ许yóu由xǐ洗ěr耳Refuse high office, prefer pure reclusive life
- fēng封guān官xǔ许yuàn愿promise official posts and benefits
- yǐ以shēn身xǔ许guó国dedicate oneself to the country
- xǔ许jié结zhū朱chén陈agree to a marriage alliance
- duō多xǔ许shǎo少yǔ与Promise much, give little
- fēng封guān官xǔ许yuán原offer positions and rewards
- gāo高zì自qī期xǔ许to be conceited and self-important
- gū孤gāo高zì自xǔ许aloof and self-important
- hé何xǔ许rén人yě也Who is this person?
- mù目chéng成xīn心xǔ许fall in love through eye contact
- rì日xǔ许duō多shí时A considerable amount of time has passed
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Open the tool →Questions about 许
What does 许 mean in Chinese?
许 (xǔ) means “To permit” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 许?
许 has 2 pronunciations: xǔ, hǔ.
How many strokes does 许 have?
许 has 6 strokes.
How do you write 许?
许 is written in 6 strokes, starting from the radical 讠. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 许?
The radical of 许 is 讠, and 许 is a phono-semantic compound.