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March 24, 2026
允yǔn(yun3)
The character 允 (yǔn) primarily means 'to permit' or 'to allow.' It conveys the idea of granting consent or approval, often used in contexts involving agreements or permissions. Additionally, it can imply fairness or justice in decision-making.
Strokes4Radical儿Frequency#27048DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, granting permission is often seen as a sign of respect and hierarchy, reflecting Confucian values where consent and fairness are paramount in relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a judge (the character 允) sitting on a bench, holding a gavel, symbolizing fairness and permission. The left part looks like a person (亻) granting something, while the right part could remind you of a 'yes' with the shape of an open hand.
Meanings of 允
yǔn(yun3)
1just
2fair
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 允
允Simplified
4Strokes
儿Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#27048Frequency Rank
Podcast: 允
Podcast: 允
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AI Study Notes for 允
Quick Contrast
准 (zhǔn) - choose 允 (yǔn) when emphasizing permission or consent, while 准 (zhǔn) focuses more on accuracy or standard.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a judge (the character 允) sitting on a bench, holding a gavel, symbolizing fairness and permission. The left part looks like a person (亻) granting something, while the right part could remind you of a 'yes' with the shape of an open hand.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 允 with similar characters like 允诺 (yǔn nuò), which means 'to promise.' It is more formal than casual speech, so it’s best used in written or formal contexts. Remember to use the correct tone to avoid misunderstanding.
HSK Study Tips
While 允 is not in the HSK word lists, it connects with other verbs like 让 (ràng, to let) and 许可 (xǔ kě, to permit). Focus on its use in formal sentences and practice with synonyms to enhance understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese culture, granting permission is often seen as a sign of respect and hierarchy, reflecting Confucian values where consent and fairness are paramount in relationships.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 允 with similar sounding characters like 音 (yīn, sound) or 允许 (yǔn xǔ, to allow), leading to incorrect usage such as saying '我允许你' when they mean to say '我允许你.' Always remember to use 允许 for casual permissions.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 允
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Grammar Patterns of 允
允 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Whether the authorities will allow inspection is highly doubtful.
Cultural Notes for 允
💡Did you know?
The character '允' is often used in contexts involving fairness and justice in Chinese culture, emphasizing the importance of permission and allowance in social interactions.
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese culture, granting permission is often seen as a sign of respect and hierarchy, reflecting Confucian values where consent and fairness are paramount in relationships.
Word Family of 允
Compounds12
充chong1to fill
吮shun3to suck, to sip, to lick
兖Yan3to establish; a province
沇Yan3flowing, engulfing, brimming
狁yun3barbarians; a tribe of Scythian nomads
兊
夋qun1to dawdle; the emperor Yao's father
抁
玧
鈗
阭
馻
Words Containing This Character10
允许yǔnxǔto permit允許
允yǔnjust
公允fair
允诺to promise允諾
应允to consent應允
允准to approve
允当proper允當
祝允明Zhu Yunming (1460-1526), Ming dynasty calligrapher
朱允炆Zhu Yuanwen, personal name of second Ming Emperor Jianwen 建文[JiànWén]
允文允武equally proficient in intellectual and military affairs
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 充 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 允
Yes, 允 is still used in modern Chinese, particularly in formal contexts. It is often found in legal language and documents where permission or agreement is being discussed.
Some synonyms for 允 include 允许 (yǔnxǔ), which also means 'to allow' or 'to permit.' Another related term is 同意 (tóngyì), meaning 'to agree.' These terms can be used interchangeably in many contexts.
允 (yǔn) means 'to permit' or 'to allow' in Chinese. It can also convey the idea of fairness or justice when used in certain contexts. This character is often found in expressions related to agreement or consent.
You can use 允 (yǔn) in sentences to indicate permission. For example, you might say '我允许你去' (Wǒ yǔnxǔ nǐ qù), which means 'I permit you to go.' This shows how the character functions in expressing consent.
You can say '他允我去参加派对' (Tā yǔn wǒ qù cānjiā pàiduì) meaning 'He allows me to attend the party.'
允许 (yǔn xǔ) is a more common term for 'to allow,' while 允 has a more formal or literary connotation.
It is less common in casual speech; you might encounter it more in written texts or formal discussions.
