Meanings of 许可
By ear
Play it, then pick what 许可 means.
About 许可
Podcast: 许可
Podcast: 许可
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 许可
准许 (zhǔn xǔ) vs 许可 (xǔ kě): Use 许可 when referring to formal permission granted, while 准许 often implies a more general allowance or consent.
Learners often confuse 许可 with similar terms like 允许 (yǔn xǔ), which also means 'to permit', but is more general. Remember that 许可 is more formal. Be mindful of tone; the third tone in 许 (xǔ) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.
As an HSK 6 vocabulary word, 许可 is useful for discussing permissions in official settings. Focus on its usage in contrast with other permission-related terms at this level, such as 允许 and 允许的条件 (conditions for permission).
Learners often mistakenly use 许可 in overly casual settings, such as among friends, where 允许 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我可以去吗?我需要许可吗?' (Do I need permission?) is too formal for such contexts.
Pronunciation of 许可
Drill the tone of 许可, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 许可 to you
Let me explain 许可 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 许可 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 许可?
Learning Lab
Knowing 许可 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component characters
How to say to allow in Chinese
“to allow” in Chinese is许可
许可 (xǔ kě) means to allow or permit something. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as legal or official documents, to indicate that permission has been granted for a specific action or event.
When to use 许可
Learners often confuse 许可 with similar terms like 允许 (yǔn xǔ), which also means 'to permit', but is more general. Remember that 许可 is more formal. Be mindful of tone; the third tone in 许 (xǔ) must be pronounced correctly to avoid confusion.
许可 or something close to it
准许 (zhǔn xǔ) vs 许可 (xǔ kě): Use 许可 when referring to formal permission granted, while 准许 often implies a more general allowance or consent.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 许可 in overly casual settings, such as among friends, where 允许 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我可以去吗?我需要许可吗?' (Do I need permission?) is too formal for such contexts.
Write 许可
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 许可 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 许可
许可 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我觉得那样做也____以让他们冰释前嫌。
I felt that might well mend the rift between them.
Example sentences for 许可 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 许可?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Frequently asked questions about 许可
While it technically can be used informally, 许可 is more suited to formal contexts, so it's better to use simpler terms like 允许 in casual conversations.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 许可?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.