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March 24, 2026
可以kěyǐ(ke3yi3)
可以 (kě yǐ) means 'can' or 'may,' indicating the possibility or ability to do something. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to express permission or capability, often in everyday situations like asking for permission or offering an option.
Strokes9Frequency#57DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of permission is often more communal than in Western cultures. Using 可以 to ask for or give permission reflects respect for social norms and relationships.
Memory Tip
Imagine a key (可以 - kě yǐ) that opens the door to possibilities. The character '可' resembles a door being opened, while '以' can be visualized as a person stepping through it, symbolizing the ability to enter or do something.
Meanings of 可以
kěyǐ(ke3yi3)
1can
2may
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 可以
可以Simplified
9Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#57Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 可以
Podcast: 可以
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AI Study Notes for 可以
Quick Contrast
可能 (kě néng) vs 可以 (kě yǐ): use 可能 when expressing a possibility that may not be certain, while 可以 indicates permission or ability.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use the correct tone; '可以' is pronounced with the third tone followed by the third tone (kě yǐ). It is often followed by a verb to indicate what can be done, such as '可以去' (kě yǐ qù - can go). Avoid confusing it with '可以不' (kě yǐ bù - can not), which negates the ability.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK level 2 word, 可以 connects with other basic verbs and expressions of ability. Focus on using it in sentences to express permission or capability, which will help reinforce your understanding of the structure.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes mistakenly use the wrong tone, saying 'kè yǐ' instead of 'kě yǐ'. Another common mistake is omitting the verb that follows, such as saying '可以' alone without context, which can lead to confusion.
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Pronunciation of 可以
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可以 (kě yǐ) means 'can' or 'may,' indicating the possibility or ability to do something. It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese to express permission or capability, often in everyday situations like asking for permission or offering an option.
When to use 可以
Be careful to use the correct tone; '可以' is pronounced with the third tone followed by the third tone (kě yǐ). It is often followed by a verb to indicate what can be done, such as '可以去' (kě yǐ qù - can go). Avoid confusing it with '可以不' (kě yǐ bù - can not), which negates the ability.
可以 or something close to it
可能 (kě néng) vs 可以 (kě yǐ): use 可能 when expressing a possibility that may not be certain, while 可以 indicates permission or ability.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes mistakenly use the wrong tone, saying 'kè yǐ' instead of 'kě yǐ'. Another common mistake is omitting the verb that follows, such as saying '可以' alone without context, which can lead to confusion.
Write 可以
可
以
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Grammar Patterns of 可以
可以 functions as a conjunction — it connects clauses or phrases. Many Chinese conjunctions come in pairs (虽然…但是…, 因为…所以…); use them at the front of the clauses they link. It carries 6 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.
