可以
kěyǐ
Can, to be able to (permitted)
How to ask for permission with 可以 (kěyǐ)
可以 (kěyǐ) + Verb
可以 (kě yǐ) — permission, may
HSK 2Auxiliary verbs
可以 (kěyǐ) + Verb
HSK 2Auxiliary verbs可以 (kě yǐ) — permission, may
Rule structure
可以 (kěyǐ) is a modal verb used to ask for or grant permission, meaning "may" or "can" (in the sense of being allowed). It is also used to express possibility.
Rule structure
可以 (kěyǐ) is a modal verb used to ask for or grant permission, meaning "may" or "can" (in the sense of being allowed). It is also used to express possibility.
Examples
我可以进来吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma?
May I come in?
你可以帮我。
Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ.
You can help me.
你可以用我的笔。
Nǐ kěyǐ yòng wǒ de bǐ.
You can use my pen.
Examples
我可以进来吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma?
May I come in?
你可以帮我。
Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ.
You can help me.
你可以用我的笔。
Nǐ kěyǐ yòng wǒ de bǐ.
You can use my pen.
Practice
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Characters
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “permission, may” in Chinese with 可以?
Use the structure: 可以 (kěyǐ) + Verb. For example: 我可以进来吗？ — “May I come in?”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我可以进来吗？ — “May I come in?”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
要 — want, need, going to
要 (yào) + Noun / 要 (yào) + Verb
要 — wanting to do something
要 (yào) + Verb
要 — be going to, will
Subj. + 要 (yào) + Verb (+ 了 (le))
了 — already done
Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
一下 — verbing briefly
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)