许
praise; promise; allow; perhaps; much; place; surname
Meanings
10 senses · 50 examplesverb
to praise; to commend; to acknowledge merit
Used to express positive evaluation of someone or something.
Everyone commends the script of this new movie.
He was praised as the best employee of the year.
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This painting is recognized as a timeless masterpiece.
The judges praised his creative proposal.
Readers commend this writer's writing style.
verb
to promise; to consent to give or do
Used when making a commitment to provide help, gifts, or services.
He promised to guard this town for his entire life.
Countless revolutionary martyrs dedicated their lives to their country, bringing today's peace.
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He promised to treat me to the new Lunar New Year movie.
She promised her friend a birthday surprise.
Dad promised me a new game console as an end-of-term reward.
verb
to betroth; to give in marriage
literaryUsed exclusively to describe a parent or guardian arranging a daughter's marriage.
The Li family's daughter has been betrothed and will get married next month.
In ancient times, marriages of noble young ladies were often arranged by their elders.
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She was betrothed to the son of a wealthy merchant from the neighboring county.
The old lady betrothed her niece to a scion of an influential family.
That family's daughter has not been betrothed yet and is still waiting to marry.
verb
to allow; to permit; to approve
Used to give permission for an action or behavior.
The school allows students to go to the playground for activities during the ten-minute break.
The leader approved this project to be completed ahead of schedule.
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This competition only allows success, no failure is permitted; we must go all out.
The park allows visitors to have picnics in designated areas.
The teacher permitted the late student to enter the classroom.
adverb
perhaps; maybe; possibly
Used to express uncertainty about a situation or outcome.
Perhaps she doesn't mean that, don't misunderstand.
He didn't come to the meeting, perhaps he didn't know the meeting time was changed.
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This heavy rain might trigger a landslide.
He has probably already arrived at the airport, let's set off quickly.
The temperature might drop tomorrow, remember to wear more clothes.
determiner/adverb
indicates degree; much; long time; a little
Used before measure words or adjectives to indicate quantity or duration.
Many tourists came to visit the museum today.
We have been apart for a long time and miss each other very much.
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This project only needs a little time to complete.
Many people are contributing to environmental protection causes.
He stayed abroad for a long time and finally returned to his hometown.
particle
indicates approximate number; about; roughly
archaicUsed in formal literary writing to indicate an approximate quantity or distance.
Ancient books record that there were about a hundred people following him at that time.
The small island is about one li away from the shore, and it takes 20 minutes to row there.
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This ancient city has a history of about two thousand years.
There are about dozens of local specialty snacks at the market.
This ancient tree is about three zhang tall.
noun
place; location
archaicUsed in classical Chinese texts to refer to a place or location, often in rhetorical questions.
May I ask who you are, sir/madam?
I wonder what special products this place has.
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He searched everywhere in this area but couldn't find the lost jade pendant.
Ancient people often asked where guests came from and where people were going.
The local customs here are simple and honest, and the people live and work in peace and contentment.
noun
Xu state (ancient Chinese state)
literaryRefers to the ancient Xu State during the Zhou Dynasty, located east of present-day Xuchang in Henan Province.
Xuchang was the capital of the ancient Xu State in ancient times.
History textbooks record the rise and fall of the Xu State.
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During the Spring and Autumn Period, the Xu State was one of many vassal states.
The Xu State was later conquered by the Chu State, and its people were relocated elsewhere.
Xuchang, Henan still has historical relics of the Xu State today.
noun
surname Xu
A common Chinese family name.
My Chinese teacher's surname is Xu, and their teaching style is very humorous.
Mr. Xu is a well-known entrepreneur.
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The Xu family has three children, the oldest is a girl.
I know a painter named Xu Jing.
The surname Xu ranks 20th among the Hundred Family Surnames in China.