可能
kěnéng
Possible, to be possible, possibility
可能 (kě néng) — might, possibly
Subject + 可能 (kěnéng) + Verb / 可能 (kěnéng) + Subject + Verb
HSK 23.0
Pattern diagram
Who / what可能Action
可能Who / whatAction
Rule structure
可能 (kěnéng) is a modal verb expressing possibility or probability. It is placed before the main verb (他可能来 (tā kě néng lái)) or at the beginning of a sentence as an adverbial (可能他忘了 (kě néng tā wàng le)). Do not confuse it with 能 (néng) and 会 (huì), which indicate ability or skill.
Rule structure
可能 (kěnéng) is a modal verb expressing possibility or probability. It is placed before the main verb (他可能来 (tā kě néng lái)) or at the beginning of a sentence as an adverbial (可能他忘了 (kě néng tā wàng le)). Do not confuse it with 能 (néng) and 会 (huì), which indicate ability or skill.
Examples
他可能来。
Tā kěnéng lái.
He might come.
可能他已经走了。
Kěnéng tā yǐjīng zǒu le.
Perhaps he has already left.
Examples
他可能来。
Tā kěnéng lái.
He might come.
可能他已经走了。
Kěnéng tā yǐjīng zǒu le.
Perhaps he has already left.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “might, possibly” in Chinese with 可能?
Use the structure: Subject + 可能 (kěnéng) + Verb / 可能 (kěnéng) + Subject + Verb. For example: 他可能来。 — “He might come”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他可能来。 — “He might come”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 2.
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More HSK 3.0 Level 2 grammar rules
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快 — about to happen
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别 — stop doing
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别 — negative commands
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还 — still
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Verb Phrase / Adj.