(kě yǐ) - can, may (permission or possibility) in Mandarin
kěyǐTraditional: 可以
Translation
can, may (permission or possibility)
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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.
。
Smoking is not allowed here.
？
May I leave work early tomorrow?
。
I can help you cook.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(10)Grammar articles
(8)Mandarin Verb Conjugation: Why There Isn't Any
Mandarin Interrogative Pronouns: 谁, 什么, 哪 and 'Anyone'
Mandarin Modal Verbs: 会, 能, 可以, 想, 要 and 应该
Mandarin Question Words: 什么, 谁, 哪儿 and the Full List
Mandarin Tones: The Four Tones, Neutral Tone and the 3-3 Rule
Mandarin 以 (yǐ): 以为, 以及, 以便, 以免 and 以来
又 vs 再 vs 还 in Mandarin: Three Ways to Say Again
The Mandarin Suffix 者 (zhě): 作者, 读者, 记者
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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.
This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 4: 可以, 会, 来 and 7 more words.