How to emphasize with 可 (kě) in Chinese
Subj. + 可 (kě) + Verb / Adj. (+ 了 (le))
可 (kě) — emphatic “really”
Subj. + 可 (kě) + Verb / Adj. (+ 了 (le))
HSK 4Adverbs可 (kě) — emphatic “really”
Rule structure
可 (kě) adds strong emphasis, often in warnings, reminders, or exclamations. It softens with 了 (le) or intensifies with negation.
Rule structure
可 (kě) adds strong emphasis, often in warnings, reminders, or exclamations. It softens with 了 (le) or intensifies with negation.
Examples
这件事你可别忘了！
Zhè jiàn shì nǐ kě bié wàng le!
Don't you forget about this!
Examples
这件事你可别忘了！
Zhè jiàn shì nǐ kě bié wàng le!
Don't you forget about this!
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “emphatic “really”” in Chinese with 可?
Use the structure: Subj. + 可 (kě) + Verb / Adj. (+ 了 (le)). For example: 这件事你可别忘了！ — “Don't you forget about this!”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
这件事你可别忘了！ — “Don't you forget about this!”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.
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More HSK 4 grammar rules
原来 — it turns out, originally
Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate
千万 — don't, whatever you do
千万 (qiānwàn) + (别 (bié) / 不 (bù)) + Verb
正好 — just in time, coincidence
Subj. + 正好 (zhènghǎo) + Verb / Adj.
不得不 — have to, forced to
Subj. + 不得不 (bùdébù) + Verb Phrase
也 都 — also all
Subj. + 也 (yě) + 都 (dōu) + Verb
究竟 — in the end
究竟 (jiūjìng) + Question word / Question
恐怕 — I'm afraid that...
恐怕 (kǒngpà) + Clause
从来 — never in negative contexts
从来 (cónglái) + 都 (dōu)/也 (yě) + 不 (bù)/没 (méi) + Verb / Adj.