Meaning
允许 means to give permission or authorization for something to happen or for someone to do something. It is a formal, somewhat official-sounding verb commonly used in rules, regulations, and polite requests. The word combines 允 (to consent) and 许 (to permit), both classical characters meaning permission.
Usage
This is a standard verb for granting permission in both spoken and written Chinese. It often appears in negative constructions (不允许) in rules and prohibitions. More formal than 让 (ràng) but less stiff than 准许 (zhǔn xǔ). Commonly used in the pattern '允许 + someone + verb' or '允许 + noun/verb phrase'.
Examples
- 01这里不允许吸烟。.Smoking is not allowed here.
- 02老师允许我们提前离开。.The teacher allowed us to leave early.
Characters
Common collocations
- 不允许not allowed, not permitted
- 允许进入to allow entry
- 法律允许legally permitted
- 允许某人做某事to allow someone to do something
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters have classical roots in expressing consent and permission. 允 originally meant 'sincere' or 'to trust,' evolving to mean consent. 许 meant 'to praise' in ancient texts but came to mean 'to promise' or 'to permit.' Together they reinforce the meaning of granting permission.