Back to Dictionary
只许州官放火,不许百姓点灯
zhǐxǔzhōuguānfànghuǒ,bùxǔbǎixìngdiǎndēng
Traditional: 只許州官放火,不許百姓點燈
only the official is allowed to light the fire / Gods may do what cattle may not / quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi
Character Breakdown
只
zhī
only, merely, just
HSK 3
许
xǔ
to consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth
HSK 4
州
zhōu
state, province, prefecture
HSK 6
官
guān
official, public servant
HSK 5
放
fàng
to release, to liberate, to free
HSK 3
火
huǒ
fire, flame; to burn; anger, rage
HSK 2
不
bù
no, not, un-; negative prefix
HSK 1
许
xǔ
to consent, to permit; to promise, to betroth
HSK 4
百
bǎi
one hundred; numerous, many
HSK 2
姓
xìng
name, family name, surname; clan, people
HSK 2
点
diǎn
dot, point, speck
HSK 1
灯
dēng
lamp, lantern, light
HSK 3
Additional Information
Category
Chinese
HSK Character Level
—
HSK Word Level
—