Chinese word

可以

Pronunciation

Pinyinkě yǐ

Meaning

  • auxiliary verbcan

Example

我可以帮你。wǒ ké yǐ bāng nǐ

I can help you.

Illustration for 可以 (can)

More examples

我可以用一下你的手机吗？wǒ ké yǐ yòng yí xià nǐ de shǒu jī ma

Can I use your phone for a moment?

Core concept

A person has a workable opening to act, either because the action is allowed or because circumstances support it.

Common phrases

  • 可以吗ké yǐ ma

    Can I

  • 可以的ké yǐ de

    sure

  • 可以帮你ké yǐ bāng nǐ

    can help you

Similar words

能néng: Shows that circumstances or strength make an action possible.
会huì: Shows that someone has learned how to do something.

Definition in Chinese

用于表示获得许可或在条件、能力允许下可以做某事，既可用于请求许可，也可用于说明可能性或允许的程度。yòng yú biǎo shì huò dé xú kě huò zài tiáo jiàn néng lì yún xǔ xià ké yǐ zuò mǒu shì jì kě yòng yú qǐng qiú xú kě yě kě yòng yú shuō míng kě néng xìng huò yún xǔ de chéng dù

Word origin

The character pair 可以 (kěyǐ, "can; may") combines 可 (kě, "allowed or possible") with 以 (yǐ, "by means of"), presenting an action as having a valid way forward.

Usage tips

  • The same sentence pattern works for one person or a group, so it can ask about a personal action, a shared plan, or another person's action.

Other meanings

  • mayauxiliary verb
  • possibleadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word