Expressing permission with "keyi"

可以 (kěyǐ) is an auxiliary verb primarily used for expressing permission. It's often translated as "can," but in order to not get it confused with other words, it's best to think of it as "may" to emphasize the permission aspect.

Basic Usage

Just put 可以 (kěyǐ) in directly before a verb to create a meaning of "may" (plus the verb). It's the same structure whether it's a statement or a question.

Structure

Subject + 可以 + Verb + Object

Use this structure to express permission to do things.

Examples

• 你 可以 告诉 他。Nǐ kěyǐ gàosu tā.You can tell him.
• 我 可以 看 这 个 吗？Wǒ kěyǐ kàn zhè gè ma?May I see this?
• 他 可以 跟 我们 来。Tā kěyǐ gēn wǒmen lái.He can come with us.
• 我 可以 进来 吗？Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma?May I come in?
• 你 可以 十 点 来 吗？Nǐ kěyǐ shí diǎn lái ma?Can you come at 10 o'clock?
• 十 八 岁 以后 可以 喝 酒。Shíbā suì yǐhòu kěyǐ hējiǔ.After you are 18 years old you may drink alcohol.
• 我 可以 要 两 个 吗？Wǒ kěyǐ yào liǎng gè ma?Can I have two?
• 妈妈，我 可以 出去 玩 吗？Māmā, wǒ kěyǐ chūqù wán ma?Mom, may I go out and have fun?
• 现在 可以 吃 饭 吗？Xiànzài kěyǐ chīfàn ma?Can we eat now?
• 这里 可以 说话 吗？Zhèlǐ kěyǐ shuōhuà ma?Can I speak here?

Negating 可以 sentences

可以 (kěyǐ) sentences are negated with 不 (bù), which is inserted before 可以 (kěyǐ).

Structure

Subject + 不 + 可以 + Verb + Object

Examples

• 你 不 可以 告诉 他。Nǐ bù kěyǐ gàosu tā. You can't tell him.
• 小孩子 不 可以 看 这 个。Xiǎo háizi bù kěyǐ kàn zhè gè.Young children can't watch this.
• 他 不 可以 跟 我们 来。Tā bù kěyǐ gēn wǒmen lái.He can't come with us.
• 现在 你 不 可以 进来。Xiànzài nǐ bù kěyǐ jìnlái.You can't come in right now.
• 你 不 可以 迟到。Nǐ bù kěyǐ chídào.You can't be late.
• 十 八 岁 以前 不 可以 喝 酒。Shíbā suì yǐqián bù kěyǐ hējiǔ.Before you are 18 you can't drink alcohol.
• 我 不 可以 要 两 个 吗？Wǒ bù kěyǐ yào liǎng gè ma?Can't I have two?
• 妈妈，我 不 可以 出去 玩 吗？Māmā, wǒ bù kěyǐ chūqù wán ma?Mom, can't I go out and have fun?
• 现在 不 可以 吃 饭 吗？Xiànzài bù kěyǐ chīfàn ma?Can't I eat now?
• 这里 不 可以 说话 吗？Zhèlǐ bù kěyǐ shuōhuà ma?Can't I talk here?

See also

• Expressing ability or possibility
• Comparing "hui" "neng" "keyi"
• Expressing a learned skill with "hui"

Sources and further reading

• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 160-1) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 185-7) →buy
• A Practical Chinese Grammar For Foreigners (外国人实用汉语语法) (p. 44) →buy