允 yǔn to grant
to grant; to consent
How to remember 允: 厶 cocoon + 儿 son = to grant. A cocoon hangs in the youngest son's jar, and he begs his mum to let it hatch in his room, a wish she is happy to grant.
Component breakdown
允 = 厶 cocoon + 儿 son
- 厶 cocoon
- 儿 son
A cocoon hangs in the youngest son's jar, and he begs his mum to let it hatch in his room, a wish she is happy to grant.
How it came to be
A standing figure with the head tipped forward: a nod. Agreeing is done with the body before words, and the character caught the gesture, not the speech.
How it is used
- To permit / consent; bound, and its main home is 允许 (yǔnxǔ) to allow/permit.
- 允许 is the everyday word: 不允许吸烟 (bù yǔnxǔ xīyān) smoking is not permitted.
- Compared with 许可 (xǔkě, formal authorization/license), 允许 is broader everyday 'let/allow.'
Words with 允
Example sentences
- 她不允许丈夫出门。 Tā bù yǔnxǔ zhàngfu chūmén.She won't allow her husband to go out.