(kě yǐ) - can, may (permission or possibility) in Mandarin

kěyǐ

Traditional: 可以

HSK 1

#41 of 5,000 Core 1000

Translation

can, may (permission or possibility)

Word origin

可以 means can or may. 可 (kě) means able or permitted. 以 (yǐ) means by means of or with, originally a graph depicting a tool or the act of using.

Origin: compound
Root: 可 (kě, able) + 以 (yǐ, by means of)

Stroke order

可

以

Examples

？

May I come in?

。

You can use my computer.

烟yān。

Smoking is not allowed here.

？

May I leave work early tomorrow?

。

I can help you cook.

Where this fits

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Used in

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Mandarin · Free printables

可以: worksheet, infographic and listicle

Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "可以" (can, may (permission or possibility)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.

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This word is part of lesson 1.