可 (kě) - can & may

可Tone 3

kě ｜ 5 strokes ｜ radical: 口

俊梁

可 · kě

can;

may;

able to;

approve;

permit;

but;

however;

worth;

suitable

canmayable to

Usage highlights

can; mayadorablepitiful; regrettablereliableapprovalpossible

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • You can go now (可以).
  • This is acceptable (可以).
  • It's a pity (可惜).
  • He is adorable (可爱).

Collocations

  • can; may(可以)
  • adorable(可爱)
  • pitiful; regrettable(可惜)
  • reliable(可靠)
  • approval(认可)
  • possible(可能)

Idioms

  • Unpredictable(不可思议)
  • Unbearable to hear(不堪入耳)
  • Unbearable to look at(不堪入目)
  • Hard to come by(难能可贵)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a person singing from the mouth, later extended to meanings of permission and ability.
  • Used in many positive adjectives describing desirable qualities (可爱, 可靠).
  • Common in given names to express approval, capability, or positive attributes.

FAQ