Emphatic adverb "ke"

可 (kě) can be used to intensify an adjective, or to add emphasis to a verb. It is stronger than other modifiers, as 可 compares the speaker‘s expectations with the actual situation. The meaning of 可 is very reliant on context.

可 is generally used by Northern speakers and is informal, generally only used in spoken Chinese.

可 used to intensify an adjective

Structure

可 + Adj.

Examples

In these examples, 可 is used a bit like 很, as it is used to intensify an adjective:

• 这 只 小 狗 可 淘气 了！The speaker never expected puppies to be this naughtyZhè zhǐ xiǎo gǒu kě táoqìle!This puppy is so naughty!
• 哇，这 个 糖醋 里脊 可 好吃 了！The speaker never dreamt that sweet and sour pork could taste this goodWa, zhè gè táng cù lǐjí kě hào chīle!Wow! This sweet and sour pork is delicious!

可 used to emphasize a verb

Structure

可 + Verb

Examples

In these examples 可 is used a bit like 真, and used to emphasize a verb:

• 你 可 来 了! The speaker never expected it would take so long for you to get hereNǐ kě láile!You are here!
• 你 可 别 喝 太 多 酒。 I'm not expecting you to drink a lotNǐ kě bié hē tài duō jiǔ.Don't drink too much.
• 你 可 别 走！ I'm blocking your way, almost pleading with you, as I believe you are going to leaveNǐ kě bié zǒu!Don't go!
• 话 可 不 能 这 样 说。 What you said doesn't accord with my own beliefsHuà kě bùnéng zhèyàng shuō.You can't say that.

In two of the sentences above, 可 is used with 别, and sounds a bit like "don't even think about..." in English.

Sources and further reading

Books

• HSK Standard Course 4下 (pp. 76) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 270-1) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 56) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy ]

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