xǔkě: 许可 - Permit, License, Permission

• Keywords: xuke, xǔkě, 许可, Chinese for permission, Chinese for license, permit in Chinese, official permission, what does xuke mean, 许可 vs 同意, HSK 5 vocabulary, formal Chinese
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 许可 (xǔkě), a key term for “permission,” “license,” or “permit.” This page breaks down its meaning for beginners, exploring its use in formal, legal, and business contexts. Discover the difference between 许可 (xǔkě) and other words like 同意 (tóngyì), and learn how to use it correctly in sentences to talk about everything from software licenses to official permits.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xǔkě
• Part of Speech: Noun / Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To permit or allow; a license or official permission.
• In a Nutshell: 许可 (xǔkě) is the word you use for formal, official authorization. It's not the casual “okay” you get from a friend to borrow a book. Instead, think of the “permission” you need from an authority—a government agency, a company, or a parent in a formal situation. As a noun, it refers to the actual permit or license itself.

• 许 (xǔ): This character means “to allow,” “to permit,” or “to praise.” It's composed of the speech radical `讠(yán)` and `午 (wǔ)`. Think of it as giving a solemn, spoken word (`讠`) of approval.
• 可 (kě): This character means “can,” “able to,” or “may.” It signifies possibility or approval.
• Together, 许可 (xǔkě) literally means “to allow [something to be] possible,” which perfectly captures the idea of granting formal permission or a license to do something.

In Western cultures, “permission” can range from a casual nod to a signed contract. In China, 许可 (xǔkě) leans heavily toward the formal, bureaucratic end of that spectrum. It reflects a cultural and administrative environment where official sanction is often a prerequisite for action, be it starting a business, constructing a building, or even holding a public event. This contrasts with the Western concept of “getting the green light,” which can often be informal. Obtaining a 许可 in China often involves a clear, hierarchical process of application and approval (批准, pīzhǔn). This isn't necessarily negative; it's simply a more structured approach that emphasizes the importance of authority and proper procedure. Understanding 许可 is understanding a key piece of how modern Chinese society, business, and government operate. It's about knowing the proper channels to go through to get things done officially.

许可 (xǔkě) is a high-frequency word in formal settings. You will encounter it constantly in legal documents, business contracts, government notices, and software agreements.

• As a Noun (The Permit/License): It often combines with other words to specify the type of license. The physical document is usually called a `许可证 (xǔkězhèng)`.
  • `营业许可 (yíngyè xǔkě)` - Business License
  • `驾驶许可 (jiàshǐ xǔkě)` - Driving Permit
• As a Verb (To Permit/Allow): It's used to state that an authority grants or does not grant permission.
  • `法律不许可… (fǎlǜ bù xǔkě…)` - The law does not permit…
  • `公司许可我们… (gōngsī xǔkě wǒmen…)` - The company permits us to…
• In Digital and IP Contexts: This is extremely common in the tech world.
  • `软件使用许可协议 (ruǎnjiàn shǐyòng xǔkě xiéyì)` - Software License Agreement (the long text you click “I agree” to).

• Example 1:
  • 我们需要拿到政府的许可才能开始施工。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào nádào zhèngfǔ de xǔkě cái néng kāishǐ shīgōng.
  • English: We need to get the government's permit before we can start construction.
  • Analysis: Here, 许可 is used as a noun, meaning a formal, official “permit.” This is a classic example of its use in a bureaucratic or legal context.
• Example 2:
  • 未经许可，任何人不得进入此区域。
  • Pinyin: Wèijīng xǔkě, rènhé rén bùdé jìnrù cǐ qūyù.
  • English: Without permission, no one is allowed to enter this area.
  • Analysis: This is a common phrase on warning signs. 未经许可 (wèijīng xǔkě) is a set phrase meaning “without having gone through the process of getting permission.”
• Example 3:
  • 你必须同意软件许可协议才能安装这个程序。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bìxū tóngyì ruǎnjiàn xǔkě xiéyì cái néng ānzhuāng zhège chéngxù.
  • English: You must agree to the software license agreement to install this program.
  • Analysis: 许可 is used here as a noun within the term “license agreement.” This is a very common usage in the digital age.
• Example 4:
  • 法律不许可未成年人饮酒。
  • Pinyin: Fǎlǜ bù xǔkě wèichéngniánrén yǐnjiǔ.
  • English: The law does not permit minors to drink alcohol.
  • Analysis: Here, 许可 is used as a verb, “to permit.” It conveys a formal prohibition dictated by law.
• Example 5:
  • 他获得了父母的许可，可以去参加夏令营。
  • Pinyin: Tā huòdéle fùmǔ de xǔkě, kěyǐ qù cānjiā xiàlìngyíng.
  • English: He obtained his parents' permission to go to the summer camp.
  • Analysis: While often formal, 许可 can be used in family contexts to imply a serious or formal granting of permission, as opposed to a casual “okay.”
• Example 6:
  • 这家公司许可我们在网站上使用他们的徽标。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī xǔkě wǒmen zài wǎngzhàn shàng shǐyòng tāmen de huībiāo.
  • English: This company permits us to use their logo on our website.
  • Analysis: A clear example of 许可 as a verb in a business context, meaning “to grant permission” or “to license.”
• Example 7:
  • 如果没有特别许可，这个药品是不能出售的。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu tèbié xǔkě, zhège yàopǐn shì bùnéng chūshòu de.
  • English: This medicine cannot be sold without a special permit.
  • Analysis: 许可 is used as a noun, emphasizing the need for a specific, official authorization.
• Example 8:
  • 他的驾驶许可因为多次违规被吊销了。
  • Pinyin: Tā de jiàshǐ xǔkě yīnwèi duō cì wéiguī bèi diàoxiāole.
  • English: His driving permit was revoked due to multiple violations.
  • Analysis: Shows 许可 as part of a compound noun (`驾驶许可`) referring to a specific official document.
• Example 9:
  • 你需要提交书面申请来获得许可。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào tíjiāo shūmiàn shēnqǐng lái huòdé xǔkě.
  • English: You need to submit a written application to obtain permission.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the formal process often associated with getting a 许可.
• Example 10:
  • 博物馆许可游客在不使用闪光灯的情况下拍照。
  • Pinyin: Bówùguǎn xǔkě yóukè zài bù shǐyòng shǎnguāngdēng de qíngkuàng xià pāizhào.
  • English: The museum permits visitors to take photos without using a flash.
  • Analysis: A good example of an institution (the authority) using the verb 许可 to state its official policy.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 许可 with other words for “permission” or “agreement.”

• 许可 (xǔkě) vs. 同意 (tóngyì):
  • 许可 (xǔkě): Formal permission from an authority. It's about being allowed to do something. Think “license” or “permit.”
  • 同意 (tóngyì): General agreement or consent. It's about sharing an opinion. Think “agree with.”
  • Incorrect: `我同意你进入。(Wǒ tóngyì nǐ jìnrù.)` - This sounds like “I agree with the fact that you are entering.”
  • Correct: `我许可你进入。(Wǒ xǔkě nǐ jìnrù.)` or more naturally, `我允许你进入。(Wǒ yǔnxǔ nǐ jìnrù.)` - “I permit you to enter.”
  • Correct: `我同意你的看法。(Wǒ tóngyì nǐ de kànfǎ.)` - “I agree with your viewpoint.”
• 许可 (xǔkě) vs. 允许 (yǔnxǔ):
  • 允许 (yǔnxǔ) is a very common verb for “to allow” or “to permit.” It's often interchangeable with the verb form of 许可 but is slightly less formal and more common in everyday speech. If you're unsure which verb to use for “to permit,” 允许 (yǔnxǔ) is often a safer and more natural choice. 许可 carries a stronger sense of official or legal sanction.
• Using 许可 for Casual Requests:
  • Never use 许可 for small, everyday requests.
  • Incorrect: `我需要你的许可借你的笔吗？ (Wǒ xūyào nǐ de xǔkě jiè nǐ de bǐ ma?)` - This sounds absurdly formal.
  • Correct: `我可以用一下你的笔吗？ (Wǒ kěyǐ yòng yīxià nǐ de bǐ ma?)` - “Can I use your pen for a moment?”

• 许可证 (xǔkězhèng) - The noun for the physical document: a “license” or “permit card.”
• 批准 (pīzhǔn) - To approve; to ratify. This is the action an authority takes to grant a `许可`.
• 允许 (yǔnxǔ) - To allow; to permit. A very common verb, often a synonym for `许可` but slightly less formal.
• 同意 (tóngyì) - To agree; to consent. Refers to agreement in opinion, not formal authorization.
• 执照 (zhízhào) - A license, especially a business license (`营业执照 yíngyè zhízhào`) or professional license. Very similar to `许可证`.
• 授权 (shòuquán) - To authorize; to empower. To grant someone the authority to act on one's behalf.
• 禁止 (jìnzhǐ) - To prohibit; to forbid. The direct antonym of the verb `许可`.
• 规定 (guīdìng) - A rule; a regulation. The set of rules that might require you to obtain a `许可`.