许可

• Pinyin: xǔ kě
• Hanzi breakdown: 许 = 讠 (speech) + 午 (noon), to promise/allow; 可 = 口 (mouth) + 丁 (nail), can/approve

Meaning

To permit; to allow; permission. Granting official approval or consent.

More formal than 允许, often used in legal, administrative, and business contexts. Common in compounds like 许可证 (license/permit), 许可协议 (license agreement), and 特别许可 (special permission). Implies official or formal authorization.

Examples

1. 没有他的许可，你不能进入这个房间。 Without his permission, you cannot enter this room.
2. 这家餐厅已经获得了营业许可证。 This restaurant has already obtained a business license.
3. 未经许可，禁止在此拍照。 Photography is prohibited without permission.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, administration

Tone: official

Do Say

• 我需要得到经理的许可。(I need to get the manager's permission.)
• 你有驾驶许可证吗？(Do you have a driving permit?)

Don't Say

• 许可我去厕所 (Too formal for casual requests — use 可以 or 让 in everyday speech)

Origin & History

Compound of 许 (allow, permit) and 可 (can, approve), both meaning approval.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal