认可
rèn kě · HSK 3
to approve
✅ 认 (recognize) + 可 (can/approve) = recognize-as-acceptable → approve
认 means to recognize or acknowledge; 可 means can, may, or approve. Together they form recognize-and-permit, i.e. to formally approve or give acknowledgment.
认 — speech radical 讠 + 忍 rěn (phonetic)
认 is a semantic-phonetic compound: the speech radical 讠 (simplified from 言) signals meaning related to words or speaking, while 忍 rěn provides the sound. The traditional form 認 carried senses of 'acknowledge' or 'recognize through speech,' which extended to today's meanings of recognizing, identifying, and admitting.
可 — mouth 口 + breath marker 丁 (modified)
可 originally depicted a mouth (口) with a curved stroke suggesting exhaled breath or speech, conveying approval or assent. From this came the meaning 'to permit' or 'can,' as granting permission was expressed verbally. Today it broadly means 'may,' 'can,' or 'approve.'