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可以

kě yǐ
HSK 2.0 Level 2 HSK 3.0 Level 1 Verb Very common

Definitions

  1. 1. can
  2. 2. may
  3. 3. possible
  4. 4. able to
  5. 5. not bad
  6. 6. pretty good

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Word relationships

Related words

3 items
可能
kě néng

might (happen)

表示可能性
允许
yǔn xǔ

to permit

表示许可
不错
bù cuò

correct

表示评价时用

Synonyms

1 item
能够
néng gòu

to be capable of

表示有能力或条件做某事

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Do not confuse 可以 (permission/possibility) with 会 (learned skill) or 能 (physical ability).

Formality

可以 is neutral; for polite requests, 能 is slightly more tentative.

Grammar

Guides that feature 可以

Jump into a full guide with fill-in-the-blank drills. Clicking will load the page and move you to the top.

5 guides
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 5+ 6 min
Serial Verbs for Cause, Contrast and Condition

Two verb phrases side by side can mean “so” (我有事不能去), “but” (他拿着书不看) or “if” (你有问题可以问老师), without any linking word.

Reading: kě yǐ Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 2+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 5 min
Saying “Maybe” with 可能

Use 可能 before a verb to say something might happen or might be true, and tell it apart from 可以 and 不可能.

Reading: kě yǐ Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 1+ HSK 3.0 Level 1+ 6 min
吗 Questions

Turn a normal sentence into a yes-or-no question without changing the word order.

Reading: kě yǐ Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 2+ HSK 3.0 Level 1+ 6 min
能, 会, and 可以

Choose the right “can” for skill, possibility, and permission.

Reading: kě yǐ Open guide
HSK 2.0 Level 1+ HSK 3.0 Level 1+ 6 min
要, 想, and 可以

Make practical requests, wants, and permission sentences with three starter modal verbs.

Reading: kě yǐ Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown
交流 可以 增进两国人民的了解。
Communication can enhance the understanding between the people of the two countries.
我们 可以 做很多事情，譬如去散步。
We can do many things, for example, go for a walk.
你 可以 任意选择。
You can choose arbitrarily.
你 可以 帮我吗？
Can you help me?
我 可以 问你一个问题吗？
May I ask you a question?

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 可以

不可以
bù kě yǐ

may not

他山之石可以攻玉
tā shān zhī shí kě yǐ gōng yù

lit. the other mountain's stone can polish jade (idiom); to improve oneself by accepting criticism from outside

可以意会，不可言传
kě yǐ yì huì , bù kě yán chuán

can be understood, but not described (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子[zhuāng zǐ]); mysterious and subtle

夏虫不可以语冰
xià chóng bù kě yǐ yǔ bīng

a summer insect cannot discuss ice (idiom)

星星之火，可以燎原
xīng xing zhī huǒ , kě yǐ liáo yuán

a single spark can start a huge blaze (idiom); an insignificant cause can have a massive effect

Child Words of 可以

以
yǐ

to use

可
kě

can