Chinese verb · modal · first needed at beginner level (A1)
可以
kěyǐ
can, may
Asks for and gives permission ( (Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlai ma?)) and makes suggestions. Its everyday negative is (bù néng) or (bù xíng); (bù kěyǐ) sounds strict, like a rule. On its own, means “OK, fine”.
Speed:
Basic
基本
Suggestions and possibilities: “you can”, “you could”.
| affirmative | 你可以坐地铁去。Nǐ kěyǐ zuò dìtiě qù. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 那儿没有地铁站，不能坐地铁去。Nàr méiyǒu dìtiězhàn, bù néng zuò dìtiě qù. | |
| question | 我们可以坐地铁去吗？Wǒmen kěyǐ zuò dìtiě qù ma? |
Completed
了
可以…了: now you're allowed to, or something is ready.
| affirmative | 你可以走了。Nǐ kěyǐ zǒu le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 你还不能走。Nǐ hái bù néng zǒu. | |
| question | 我可以走了吗？Wǒ kěyǐ zǒu le ma? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
Asking for and giving permission. is a strict “not allowed”.
| affirmative | 你可以进来。Nǐ kěyǐ jìnlai. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 这儿不可以抽烟。Zhèr bù kěyǐ chōuyān. | |
| question | 我可以进来吗？Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlai ma? |
Examples
- 我可以试试吗？Wǒ kěyǐ shìshi ma?Can I try it?
- 可以用微信付钱吗？Kěyǐ yòng Wēixìn fù qián ma?Can I pay with WeChat?
- 三点见，可以吗？Sān diǎn jiàn, kěyǐ ma?See you at three, is that OK?