The compound word 许愿 (xǔyuàn) is formed by combining the character 许, which means "to promise", "to allow", or "to pledge", with the character 愿, which means "wish" or "desire". Together, they create a verb-object construction where 许 acts as the verb ("to make a pledge") and 愿 serves as its object ("a wish"). Thus, 许愿 literally means "to pledge a wish", describing the act of making a wish or vow, often silently to oneself, to a deity, or before a symbolic object (like a wishing well or birthday candles), with the hope or promise that it will be fulfilled.