许 xǔ — to allow; to permit; to praise; (surname)
这里不许吸烟。Zhè lǐ bù xǔ xī yān.Smoking is not allowed here.
Common words: 也许 (yě xǔ)、许多 (xǔ duō)、或许 (huò xǔ)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "to praise"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "to praise", including 许 (xǔ), 称 (chēng / chèn / chèng), 赞 (zàn), 赞 (zàn), 颂 (sòng). Study pinyin…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "to praise" covers 5 different Chinese characters — 许 (xǔ), 称 (chēng / chèn / chèng), 赞 (zàn), 赞 (zàn), 颂 (sòng) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 5 characters do not share a sound — their readings span xǔ, chēng, chèn, chèng, zàn, sòng — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 许 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 许 xǔto allow; to permit; to praise; (surname)Useful words: 也许, 许多
- 称 chēng / chèn / chèngbalanced; to fit; well-off; suitable; to call; to praiseUseful words: 名称, 称为
- 赞 zànto praise; to patronize; to support; to praiseUseful words: 赞助, 赞成
- 赞 zànto praise; to patronize; to support; to praiseUseful words: 赞助, 赞成
- 颂 sòngto praiseUseful words: 歌颂, 可颂
Common words for these 5 "to praise" characters
Anchor each of these 5 characters in a word you can picture — start with 许 (xǔ) — so "to praise" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
也许yě xǔperhaps; maybe许多xǔ duōmany; a lot of; much或许huò xǔperhaps; maybe名称míng chēngname (of a thing); name (of an organization)称为chēng wéito be called; to be known as; to call it "..."称赞chēng zànto praise; to commend; to compliment赞助zàn zhùto support; to assist; to sponsor赞成zàn chéngto approve; to endorse; (literary) to assist称赞chēng zànto praise; to commend; to compliment赞助zàn zhùto support; to assist; to sponsor
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 5 ways to say "to praise".
称 chēng / chèn / chèng — balanced; to fit; well-off; suitable; to call; to praise
大家都称他为“小天才”。Dà jiā dōu chēng tā wéi “xiǎo tiān cái”.Everyone calls him a little genius.
Common words: 名称 (míng chēng)、称为 (chēng wéi)、称赞 (chēng zàn)
赞 zàn — to praise; to patronize; to support; to praise
大家都称赞他做得好。Dà jiā dōu chēng zàn tā zuò de hǎo.Everyone praised him for doing well.
Common words: 赞助 (zàn zhù)、赞成 (zàn chéng)、称赞 (chēng zàn)
赞 zàn — to praise; to patronize; to support; to praise
大家都称赞他做得好。Dà jiā dōu chēng zàn tā zuò de hǎo.Everyone praised him for doing well.
Common words: 赞助 (zàn zhù)、赞成 (zàn chéng)、称赞 (chēng zàn)
颂 sòng — to praise
这首诗歌颂了祖国的大好河山。Zhè shǒu shī gē sòng le zǔ guó de dà hǎo hé shān.This poem praises the magnificent landscape of the motherland.
Common words: 歌颂 (gē sòng)、可颂 (kě sòng)、传颂 (chuán sòng)
All 5 characters
Open 许、称、赞 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.