kěyǐ: 可以 - Can, May, Okay, Passable

• Keywords: keyi pinyin, keyi Chinese, can in Chinese, may in Chinese, how to say okay in Chinese, permission in Chinese, Chinese modal verbs, a passable grade in Chinese, 可以 vs 能, 可以 vs 会, HSK 1 vocabulary.
• Summary: A fundamental Chinese word for beginners, 可以 (kěyǐ) primarily means “can” or “may,” used for asking for and granting permission. It's the key to politely navigating daily interactions, from asking “Can I sit here?” to confirming something is allowed. Beyond permission, 可以 also expresses possibility and serves as a common adjective meaning “okay,” “decent,” or “passable.” Understanding the difference between 可以, 能 (néng), and 会 (huì) is a crucial step in mastering Chinese modal verbs.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kěyǐ
• Part of Speech: Modal Verb / Auxiliary Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: “Can” or “may,” used to indicate permission or possibility.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 可以 (kěyǐ) as the “permission” word. It's what you use when you need to ask if something is allowed by rules, circumstances, or another person. It's the direct equivalent of asking “May I…?” or a polite “Can I…?”. It can also be used to describe something as “alright” or “not bad,” making it incredibly versatile in everyday conversation.

• 可 (kě): This character's core meaning is “to permit,” “to approve,” or “can.” Think of it as a stamp of approval. It's found in many words related to possibility and approval, like 可能 (kěnéng - possible).
• 以 (yǐ): This is a function word that can mean “to use,” “by means of,” or “according to.”
• Together: The characters literally combine to mean something like “by means of approval” or “according to what is permitted.” This perfectly captures the essence of 可以 (kěyǐ): something is possible because it has been permitted or the conditions allow for it.

In Chinese culture, which often values indirectness and social harmony, 可以 (kěyǐ) is more than just a functional word; it's a tool of social politeness. Asking a question with “可以…吗? (kěyǐ…ma?)” is a way of showing respect for another person's authority, space, or opinion. It subordinates your desire to their permission. This contrasts with American/Western culture, where “Can I…?” is often used interchangeably with “May I…?” and can sometimes feel like a demand disguised as a question. In China, using 可以 signals an awareness of social rules and a deference to others. For example, asking a shopkeeper “可以看一下吗？ (Kěyǐ kàn yíxià ma? - Can I take a look?)” is standard politeness before handling merchandise. It acknowledges the item belongs to the shopkeeper and you require their implicit permission to touch it. This small gesture helps maintain a harmonious atmosphere.

可以 (kěyǐ) is used constantly in daily life. Its meaning shifts slightly based on context.

This is its most common function. The structure is typically `Subject + 可以 + Verb + (Object) + 吗?`.

• Asking: “我可以用一下你的电脑吗？” (Wǒ kěyǐ yòng yíxià nǐ de diànnǎo ma? - May I use your computer for a moment?)
• Granting: “可以，你用吧。” (Kěyǐ, nǐ yòng ba. - Yes, you can. Go ahead.)
• Denying: “对不起，不可以。” (Duìbuqǐ, bù kěyǐ. - Sorry, you can't.)

Here, it's less about strict permission and more about whether something is a viable option.

• Possibility: “下雨了，我们不可以去公园了。” (Xià yǔ le, wǒmen bù kěyǐ qù gōngyuán le. - It's raining, so we can't go to the park now.)
• Suggestion: “如果你累了，你可以休息一下。” (Rúguǒ nǐ lèi le, nǐ kěyǐ xiūxi yíxià. - If you're tired, you can take a rest.)

When used to describe a noun, it gives a neutral to mildly positive assessment. It means something is acceptable, but not amazing.

• “这家餐厅的菜味道还可以。” (Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài wèidào hái kěyǐ. - The food at this restaurant is okay/decent.)
• “他的中文水平可以了。” (Tā de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng kěyǐ le. - His Chinese level is adequate now.)

• Example 1:
  • 老师，我可以问一个问题吗？
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī, wǒ kěyǐ wèn yí ge wèntí ma?
  • English: Teacher, may I ask a question?
  • Analysis: A classic and polite way to ask for permission in a classroom setting. Using 可以 shows respect for the teacher's authority to manage the class.
• Example 2:
  • 这里不可以抽烟。
  • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ bù kěyǐ chōuyān.
  • English: You can't smoke here. / Smoking is not permitted here.
  • Analysis: This is a common sign or statement of a rule. It's about what is permitted in a certain location, not about one's physical ability to smoke.
• Example 3:
  • 你可以帮我一个忙吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ yí ge máng ma?
  • English: Can you do me a favor?
  • Analysis: A very common and polite way to ask for help. It frames the request as a question of permission/willingness rather than a demand.
• Example 4:
  • A: 我们去看电影，好吗？ (Wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng, hǎo ma? - Let's go see a movie, okay?)
  • B: 可以啊！ (Kěyǐ a!)
  • English: B: Sure! / Okay!
  • Analysis: Here, 可以 is used as a simple, positive agreement to a suggestion. It's equivalent to “Sure!” or “Sounds good!”.
• Example 5:
  • 这个价格还可以，不算太贵。
  • Pinyin: Zhège jiàgé hái kěyǐ, bú suàn tài guì.
  • English: This price is acceptable, it's not considered too expensive.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the adjectival use. “还可以” means “passable” or “decent.” The speaker isn't saying the price is great, but it's reasonable enough.
• Example 6:
  • 你可以试试用这个软件，很好用。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ shìshi yòng zhège ruǎnjiàn, hěn hǎo yòng.
  • English: You could try using this software, it's very user-friendly.
  • Analysis: This is a good example of 可以 being used to make a suggestion or offer an option.
• Example 7:
  • 在中国，你可以用手机支付几乎所有东西。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, nǐ kěyǐ yòng shǒujī zhīfù jīhū suǒyǒu dōngxi.
  • English: In China, you can use your phone to pay for almost everything.
  • Analysis: This describes a general possibility or capability provided by the system/environment. The infrastructure allows for it.
• Example 8:
  • A: 我的作业写完了，你觉得怎么样？ (Wǒ de zuòyè xiě wán le, nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng? - I finished my homework, what do you think?)
  • B: 嗯，还可以，但是有些地方需要改一下。(Èn, hái kěyǐ, dànshì yǒu xiē dìfang xūyào gǎi yíxià.)
  • English: B: Hmm, it's okay, but some parts need to be revised.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of “还可以” as gentle or understated criticism. It means “it's acceptable, but not perfect.”
• Example 9:
  • 已经很晚了，你可以回家了。
  • Pinyin: Yǐjīng hěn wǎn le, nǐ kěyǐ huí jiā le.
  • English: It's already very late, you can go home now.
  • Analysis: Here, 可以 functions as giving permission, perhaps from a boss to an employee or a host to a guest, signaling that it's now appropriate to leave.
• Example 10:
  • 我一个人不可以搬这个沙发，太重了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yí ge rén bù kěyǐ bān zhège shāfā, tài zhòng le.
  • English: I can't move this sofa by myself, it's too heavy.
  • Analysis: While 能 (néng) would also work here, 可以 is often used colloquially to express inability due to circumstances (in this case, the weight of the sofa makes the action impossible).

The biggest challenge for learners is distinguishing 可以 (kěyǐ) from 能 (néng) and 会 (huì). They all translate to “can” in English but are not interchangeable.

• 可以 (kěyǐ): Permission or circumstantial possibility. (Is it allowed? Are the conditions right?)
• 能 (néng): Inherent ability, physical capacity, or possibility. (Am I physically able to? Is it possible?)
• 会 (huì): Learned skill or future probability. (Do I know how to? Will it happen?)

Common Mistake 1: Using 可以 for a learned skill.

• Incorrect: ~~你可以说中文吗？~~ (Nǐ kěyǐ shuō Zhōngwén ma?)
• Why it's wrong: This literally asks, “Are you permitted to speak Chinese?” which is a strange question.
• Correct: 你会说中文吗？ (Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?) - Do you know how to speak Chinese?

Common Mistake 2: Confusing permission (可以) with ability (能). Imagine you have a broken leg.

• Correct: 我的腿断了，不能走路。(Wǒ de tuǐ duàn le, bù néng zǒulù.) - My leg is broken, I am not able to walk. (能 refers to physical inability).
• Contextual Use of 可以: The doctor might say: “你现在还不可以走路。” (Nǐ xiànzài hái bù kěyǐ zǒulù.) - You are not allowed to walk yet. (Here, 可以 is used for the doctor's permission/instruction).

In many situations, 可以 and 能 are interchangeable, especially when asking for permission. “我可以用一下吗？” and “我能用一下吗？” are both common and natural. However, 可以 leans more toward permission, while 能 leans more toward possibility/ability.

• 能 (néng) - A close synonym for “can,” focusing more on physical ability or inherent possibility.
• 会 (huì) - A modal verb used for learned skills (like speaking a language or driving) and for indicating future probability (“it will rain”).
• 行 (xíng) - A very common and colloquial synonym for “okay,” “alright,” or “sure.” Often used as a single-word response: “行！”
• 成 (chéng) - Similar to 行, a colloquial Northern-Chinese way to say “okay” or “deal!”
• 允许 (yǔnxǔ) - A more formal, two-character verb meaning “to permit” or “to allow.” You might see it on official signs or in formal documents.
• 可能 (kěnéng) - A noun or adverb meaning “possibility” or “maybe.” It relates to the “possibility” aspect of 可以.
• 不错 (búcuò) - Literally “not wrong,” this is a common way to say something is “pretty good” or “not bad,” usually a stronger compliment than “还可以.”
• 好的 (hǎo de) - The most common way to say “okay” in the sense of acknowledging a request or instruction.