kěnéng xìng: 可能性 - Possibility, Likelihood, Probability
Quick Summary
Keywords: 可能性 meaning, kenengxing in Chinese, possibility in Chinese, how to say likelihood in Chinese, Chinese word for probability, difference between 可能 and 可能性, kěnéng, kěnéng xìng, Chinese grammar, HSK 5 vocabulary.
Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 可能性 (kěnéng xìng), the Chinese noun for “possibility,” “likelihood,” or “probability.” This guide breaks down the characters, explains the crucial difference between 可能 (kěnéng) and 可能性 (kěnéng xìng), and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Understand how to use this HSK 5 term to discuss probability in business, academic, and everyday contexts.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): kěnéng xìng
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: The state or fact of being possible; a likelihood or probability.
In a Nutshell: 可能性 is the noun form of “possible.” While the word 可能 (kěnéng) means “maybe” or “possible” (as an adjective), adding the suffix 性 (-xìng) turns it into the *concept* of “possibility” (as a noun). You use it when you want to talk about “the possibility” of something happening, often measuring it as high (大) or low (小). It's like the difference between saying “It's possible” and “There is a possibility.”
Character Breakdown
可 (kě): A very common character meaning “can,” “able to,” or indicating permission or possibility.
能 (néng): This character means “can,” “to be able to,” or “ability.” It often refers to a skill or inherent capability.
性 (xìng): A crucial noun-forming suffix. It means “nature,” “property,” or “quality.” It functions like the English suffixes “-ity,” “-ness,” or “-hood,” converting an adjective or concept into a noun (e.g., 安全 ānquán 'safe' becomes 安全性 ānquánxìng 'safety/security').
When combined, 可 (possible) + 能 (ability) form 可能, meaning “possible” or “maybe.” Adding 性 (-ity) transforms this adjective into the noun 可能性, literally “the nature of being possible” or “possibility.”
Cultural Context and Significance
While 可能性 is a logical and universal concept, its usage can reflect aspects of Chinese communication style. Chinese culture often values indirectness and maintaining social harmony (和谐, héxié). Instead of stating a direct “no” or a harsh negative prediction, it can be considered more tactful and professional to frame the issue in terms of probability.
For example, a Western manager might say, “This plan will fail.” A Chinese counterpart might prefer to say, “这个计划成功的可能性不大” (zhège jìhuà chénggōng de kěnéng xìng bù dà), meaning “The possibility of this plan succeeding is not high.” This phrasing softens the criticism, leaving room for discussion and “face” (面子, miànzi) for all parties involved. Using 可能性 allows for objective, data-driven-sounding analysis without direct confrontation. It shifts the focus from a personal judgment to an impersonal calculation of likelihood.
Practical Usage in Modern China
可能性 is a noun and is commonly used in slightly more formal, analytical, or speculative contexts. You'll frequently see it in business, news reports, academic discussions, and thoughtful conversations.
It's typically used in patterns like:
有/没有可能性 (yǒu/méiyǒu kěnéng xìng): There is / isn't a possibility.
可能性 + 大/小/高/低 (kěnéng xìng + dà/xiǎo/gāo/dī): The possibility is high/low.
增加/减少 + 可能性 (zēngjiā/jiǎnshǎo + kěnéng xìng): To increase/decrease the possibility.
排除可能性 (páichú kěnéng xìng): To rule out/eliminate a possibility.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
我们成功的可能性很大。
Pinyin: Wǒmen chénggōng de kěnéng xìng hěn dà.
English: The possibility of our success is very high.
Analysis: A classic and simple structure. Here, 可能性 is the subject, and it is described as 大 (dà, big/high).
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Example 2:
我们不能完全排除这种可能性。
Pinyin: Wǒmen bùnéng wánquán páichú zhè zhǒng kěnéng xìng.
English: We cannot completely rule out this possibility.
Analysis: This shows 可能性 used as the object of the verb 排除 (páichú, to eliminate/rule out). This is common in formal discussions and problem-solving.
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Example 3:
从理论上讲，时间旅行的可能性是存在的。
Pinyin: Cóng lǐlùn shàng jiǎng, shíjiān lǚxíng de kěnéng xìng shì cúnzài de.
English: Theoretically speaking, the possibility of time travel exists.
Analysis: The verb here is 存在 (cúnzài, to exist), which is often used with abstract nouns like 可能性.
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Example 4:
你认为他们合作的可能性有多大？
Pinyin: Nǐ rènwéi tāmen hézuò de kěnéng xìng yǒu duō dà?
English: How high do you think the possibility of them cooperating is? (Lit: “…has how much bigness?”)
Analysis: A common question pattern. “有多大” (yǒu duō dà) is used to ask “how big/high” the possibility is.
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Example 5:
考虑到天气，航班被取消的可能性正在增加。
Pinyin: Kǎolǜ dào tiānqì, hángbān bèi qǔxiāo de kěnéng xìng zhèngzài zēngjiā.
English: Considering the weather, the possibility of the flight being canceled is increasing.
Analysis: This example uses 增加 (zēngjiā, to increase) to describe a change in the level of possibility.
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Example 6:
他的解释减少了他是小偷的可能性。
Pinyin: Tā de jiěshì jiǎnshǎo le tā shì xiǎotōu de kěnéng xìng.
English: His explanation reduced the possibility that he is the thief.
Analysis: The opposite of the previous example, using 减少 (jiǎnshǎo, to reduce/decrease).
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Example 7:
虽然可能性很小，但我们还是应该试一试。
Pinyin: Suīrán kěnéng xìng hěn xiǎo, dàn wǒmen háishì yīnggāi shì yī shì.
English: Although the possibility is very small, we should still give it a try.
Analysis: Here, 可能性 is described as 小 (xiǎo, small/low), which is as common as using 大 (dà, big/high).
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Example 8:
投资有风险，总有亏钱的可能性。
Pinyin: Tóuzī yǒu fēngxiǎn, zǒng yǒu kuī qián de kěnéng xìng.
English: Investing has risks; there is always the possibility of losing money.
Analysis: This demonstrates the pattern “有 + 可能性” (yǒu + kěnéng xìng), meaning “there is a possibility.”
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Example 9:
我们必须评估每一种可能性的后果。
Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū pínggū měi yī zhǒng kěnéng xìng de hòuguǒ.
English: We must evaluate the consequences of every possibility.
Analysis: This shows 可能性 being treated as a countable noun using the measure word 种 (zhǒng).
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Example 10:
目前来看，和平解决此事的可能性微乎其微。
Pinyin: Mùqián lái kàn, hépíng jiějué cǐ shì de kěnéng xìng wēihūqíwēi.
English: At present, the possibility of peacefully resolving this matter is extremely slim.
Analysis: This sentence uses an advanced chengyu, 微乎其微 (wēihūqíwēi), which means “infinitesimal” or “next to nothing,” to describe 可能性.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
The single most common mistake for learners is confusing 可能性 (kěnéng xìng) with its root word 可能 (kěnéng).
可能 (kěnéng) is an adjective (“possible”) or a modal verb (“may,” “might”). It describes a situation or modifies a verb.
可能性 (kěnéng xìng) is a noun. It is the concept of “possibility” itself. It can be a subject or an object.
Think of it this way:
Common Error Example:
Incorrect: 他可能性会来。(Tā kěnéng xìng huì lái.)
Why it's wrong: You are using the noun “possibility” where the modal verb “might” is needed. It's like saying “He possibility will come” in English.
Correct: 他可能会来。(Tā kěnéng huì lái.)
可能 (kěnéng) - The root adjective/adverb, meaning “possible” or “maybe.” 可能性 is the noun form of this.
几率 (jīlǜ) - A synonym for “probability” or “odds,” often used in the context of statistics, games, or chances. It feels a bit more mathematical than 可能性.
概率 (gàilǜ) - The formal, scientific, and mathematical term for “probability.” You would see this in a statistics textbook. It's more specific and technical than 可能性.
机会 (jīhuì) - This means “opportunity” or “chance.” It implies a positive possibility that can be acted upon. It's about a favorable opening, not just a neutral likelihood.
也许 (yěxǔ) - A common adverb meaning “perhaps” or “maybe,” used interchangeably with 可能 at the beginning of a sentence.
或许 (huòxǔ) - Another adverb for “perhaps,” slightly more formal and literary than 也许.
必然性 (bìrán xìng) - An antonym meaning “inevitability,” “necessity,” or “certainty.” The noun form of 必然 (bìrán), “inevitable.”
不可能性 (bù kěnéng xìng) - The direct antonym, meaning “impossibility.”