可以

Chinese

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

Verb

可以

1. can; may

   你不可以走。  ―  Nǐ bù kěyǐ zǒu.  ―  You may not leave.

   這裡可以拍照嗎？ [MSC, trad.]
   这里可以拍照吗？ [MSC, simp.]

   Zhèlǐ kěyǐ pāizhào ma?

   May I take pictures here?

   • 這人來，為要作見證，就是為光作見證，叫眾人因他可以信。 [MSC, trad.]
     这人来，为要作见证，就是为光作见证，叫众人因他可以信。 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 新標點和合本 (Chinese Union Version with New Punctuation), 約翰福音 (John) 1:7

     Zhè rén lái, wèi yào zuò jiànzhèng, jiùshì wèi guāng zuò jiànzhèng, jiào zhòngrén yīn tā kěyǐ xìn.

     The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.

2. can; to be able to

   我在哪兒可以弄到電話卡？ [MSC, trad.]
   我在哪儿可以弄到电话卡？ [MSC, simp.]

   Wǒ zài nǎr kěyǐ nòng dào diànhuàkǎ?

   Where can I get a telephone card?

   現在科學可以說明許多神秘的事。 [MSC, trad.]
   现在科学可以说明许多神秘的事。 [MSC, simp.]

   Xiànzài kēxué kěyǐ shuōmíng xǔduō shénmì de shì.

   Science can now account for many mysterious things.

   根據他的口音可以判斷出他可能來自下江地區。 [MSC, trad.]
   根据他的口音可以判断出他可能来自下江地区。 [MSC, simp.]

   Gēnjù tā de kǒuyīn kěyǐ pànduàn chū tā kěnéng láizì Xiàjiāng dìqū.

   From his accent we can infer that he maybe is from the downstream area of the Yangtze River.

3. ... can be used to ... (usually with ellipsed 之 (zhī, “this”)); literally: 可 (“can”) + 以 (“by; by means of; according to”)

   棉花可以織布／棉花可以织布  ―  miánhuā kěyǐ zhībù  ―  cotton can be used to weave cloth (lit. cotton, (one) can by this weave cloth)

   水可以發電／水可以发电  ―  shuǐ kěyǐ fādiàn  ―  water can be used to generate electricity (lit. water, (one) can by this generate electricity)

   • 五畝之宅，樹之以桑，五十者可以衣帛矣。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     五亩之宅，树之以桑，五十者可以衣帛矣。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Mencius, c. 4^th century BCE

     Wǔ mǔ zhī zhái, shù zhī yǐ sāng, wǔshí zhě kě yǐ yī bó yǐ.

     (please add an English translation of this usage example)

   • 忠之屬也，可以一戰。戰則請從。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     忠之属也，可以一战。战则请从。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: Commentary of Zuo, c. 4^th century BCE

     Zhōng zhī shǔ yě, kě yǐ yī zhàn. Zhàn zé qǐng cóng.

     (please add an English translation of this usage example)

   • 它山之石，可以爲錯。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
     它山之石，可以为错。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

     From: The Classic of Poetry, c. 11^th – 7^th centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

     Tā shān zhī shí, kě yǐ wèi cuò.

     The stones from other mountains, can be used as sharpening stones (lit. can make sharpening stones by them)

Synonyms

See also

• 得以 (déyǐ)

Adjective

可以

1. passable; pretty good; not bad; all right; OK

   你休息就可以了。 [MSC, trad. and simp.]

   Nǐ xiūxi jiù kěyǐ le.

   If you rest a while, you'll be alright.

2. to a great extent

   • 這真閑得可以。 [MSC, trad.]
     这真闲得可以。 [MSC, simp.]

     From: 朱自清, 《回來雜記》

     Zhè zhēn xián dé kěyǐ.

     (please add an English translation of this usage example)

3. capable; remarkable

   你小子可以啊。  ―  Nǐ xiǎozǐ kěyǐ a.  ―  You (affectionate) are remarkable.

Derived terms

Vietnamese

Verb

可以

1. chữ Hán form of khả dĩ (“possible”).