可能

kě néng

HSK 2.0 Level 2 HSK 3.0 Level 2 Adjective Very common

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Definitions

1. might (happen)
2. possible
3. probable
4. possibility
5. probability
6. maybe
7. perhaps

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 一定 yī dìng 一定 yī dìng surely certainty vs possibility: surely

Related words

1 item

• 能够 néng gòu 能够 néng gòu to be capable of capability vs possibility: to be capable of

Synonyms

1 item

• 或许 huò xǔ 或许 huò xǔ perhaps; maybe used when expressing uncertainty: perhaps; maybe

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with 会 to express future possibility: 可能会下雨 (it might rain).

Common mistakes

可能 is an adverb or adjective, not a verb; do not say 我可能去. Use 我可能去 (without 会) or 我可能会去.

Grammar

Guides that feature 可能

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

2 guides

HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 5 min

也许 and 恐怕 for “Perhaps” and “I’m Afraid”

Use 也许 for a neutral guess and 恐怕 for a guess about something you would rather not happen.

Reading: kě néng 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 néng Open guide

Example Sentences

5 shown

明天 可能 会下雨。

It might rain tomorrow.

这件事 可能 不了了之。

This matter might end up unresolved.

这项投资 可能 会增值。

This investment may appreciate in value.

这个行为 可能 侵权。

This action may infringe rights.

这次失败 可能 成为新的契机。

This failure may become a new turning point.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 可能

• 尽可能 尽可能 jǐn kě néng: as far as possible
• 不可能 不可能 bù kě néng: impossible
• 可能性 可能性 kě néng xìng: possibility; probability
• 有可能 有可能 yǒu kě néng: possible
• 极有可能 极有可能 jí yǒu kě néng: extremely possible
• 没有什么不可能 没有什么不可能 méi yǒu shén me bù kě néng: nothing is impossible

Child Words of 可能

• 可 可 kě: can
• 能 能 néng: can