Dictionary🇨🇳 Chinese → 🇺🇸 English
可
kě
Description
“可”是一个很常用的字，可以表示“能够”“可以”，也常常用来加强语气。
"可" is a very common character that can mean "can" or "may," and is often used to strengthen tone.
在口语里，“可”还有“但是”的意思。
In spoken language, "可" can also mean "but."
Meanings
可以kěyǐ
can; may; be able to
这里可以拍照吗？
Can I take photos here?
可kě
but; however (colloquial)
我想去，可是没有时间。
I want to go, but I don't have time.
可kě
used to emphasize; really; indeed
今天可真冷！
It's really cold today!
Related words
Notes
- Nuance
as an emphasis marker (可真、可好), 可 adds strong feeling and is very common in speech.
- Etymology
可 appears in many compounds meaning 'able to' or 'worth' (可爱=lovable, 可能=possible).
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