Expressing permission with "keyi"
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Keywords
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.
Contents
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
Subj. + 可以 + Verb + Obj.
Use this structure to express permission to do things.
Examples
- 你 可以 告诉 他。You can tell him.
- 我 可以 看 这 个 吗？May I see this?
- 他 可以 跟 我们 来。He can come with us.
- 我 可以 进来 吗？May I come in?
- 你 可以 十 点 来 吗？Can you come at 10 o'clock?
- 十 八 岁 以后 可以 喝 酒。After you are 18 years old you may drink alcohol.
- 我 可以 要 两 个 吗？Can I have two?
- 妈妈，我 可以 出去 玩 吗？Mom, may I go out and have fun?
- 现在 可以 吃 饭 吗？Can we eat now?
- 这里 可以 说话 吗？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。 You can't tell him.
- 小孩子 不 可以 看 这 个。Young children can't watch this.
- 他 不 可以 跟 我们 来。He can't come with us.
- 现在 你 不 可以 进来。You can't come in right now.
- 你 不 可以 迟到。You can't be late.
- 十 八 岁 以前 不 可以 喝 酒。Before you are 18 you can't drink alcohol.
- 我 不 可以 要 两 个 吗？Can't I have two?
- 妈妈，我 不 可以 出去 玩 吗？Mom, can't I go out and have fun?
- 现在 不 可以 吃 饭 吗？Can't I eat now?
- 这里 不 可以 说话 吗？Can't I talk here?
See also
- Expressing ability or possibility
- Comparing "hui" "neng" "keyi"
- Expressing a learned skill with "hui"
