Chinese word

可谓

Pronunciation

Pinyinkě wèi

Meaning

  • verbcan be said to be

Example

他的贡献可谓巨大。tā de gòng xiàn kě wèi jù dà

His contribution can be said to be huge.

Illustration for 可谓 (can be said to be)

More examples

这位科学家的发现可谓罕见。zhè wèi kē xué jiā de fā xiàn kě wèi hǎn jiàn

This scientist's discovery can be said to be rare.

Core concept

A judgment earns a clear label because the subject strongly fits it.

Common phrases

  • 可谓是kě wèi shì

    can be said to be

  • 可谓无愧kě wèi wú kuì

    can be called worthy

  • 可谓罕见kě wèi hǎn jiàn

    can be said to be rare

Similar words

可以说ké yǐ shuō: A spoken way to say that it is reasonable to describe something in a certain way.
堪称kān chēng: A strong expression of approval for something that fully deserves a certain name or description.
称得上chēng de shàng: A conversational way to say that something meets the standard for a certain evaluation.

Definition in Chinese

表示可以被称为或可以说是，用来强调某事物达到某种程度或资格。biǎo shì ké yǐ bèi chēng wéi huò ké yǐ shuō shì yòng lái qiáng diào mǒu shì wù dá dào móu zhǒng chéng dù huò zī gé

Word origin

可 (kě, "can") + 谓 (wèi, "call") combines possibility with naming, giving the formal sense of a label that can rightly be applied.

Usage tips

  • This expression has a formal, written tone, so it commonly appears in essays, reports, and serious commentary rather than relaxed conversation.

Other meanings

  • deserve to be calledverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word