可
kě
Can, may; but
可 (kě) — both A and B, either way
可 (kě) + A + 可 (kě) + B
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
可Adjective可Adjective
Rule structure
The pattern 可 (kě)A可 (kě)B (kě A kě B) describes an object or situation that allows two options: "it can be A, and it can also be B." A and B are usually monosyllabic adjectives or verbs, often opposites: 可大可小 (kě dà kě xiǎo), 可进可退 (kě jìn kě tuì), 可有可无 (kě yǒu kě wú). It is a semi-formal pattern, more common in writing and public speech.
Rule structure
The pattern 可 (kě)A可 (kě)B (kě A kě B) describes an object or situation that allows two options: "it can be A, and it can also be B." A and B are usually monosyllabic adjectives or verbs, often opposites: 可大可小 (kě dà kě xiǎo), 可进可退 (kě jìn kě tuì), 可有可无 (kě yǒu kě wú). It is a semi-formal pattern, more common in writing and public speech.
Examples
这笔费用可多可少，要看具体情况。
Zhè bǐ fèiyòng kěduō-kěshǎo, yào kàn jùtǐ qíngkuàng.
The cost can be higher or lower, depending on the situation.
Examples
这笔费用可多可少，要看具体情况。
Zhè bǐ fèiyòng kěduō-kěshǎo, yào kàn jùtǐ qíngkuàng.
The cost can be higher or lower, depending on the situation.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “both A and B, either way” in Chinese with 可?
Use the structure: 可 (kě) + A + 可 (kě) + B. For example: 这笔费用可多可少，要看具体情况。 — “The cost can be higher or lower, depending on the situation”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
这笔费用可多可少，要看具体情况。 — “The cost can be higher or lower, depending on the situation”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B