Difference between revisions of "Emphatic adverb "ke""

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* 这 只 小 狗 <em>可</em> 淘气 了!<span class="expl">(The speaker never expected dogs to be this naughty)</span>
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* 这 只 小 狗 <em>可</em> 淘气 了!<span class="trans">These dogs are so naughty!</span> <span class="expl">(The speaker never expected dogs to be this naughty)</span>
* 哇,这 个 糖醋 里脊 <em>可</em> 好吃 了!<span class="expl">(The speaker never dreamt that sweet and sour pork could taste this good)</span>
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* 哇,这 个 糖醋 里脊 <em>可</em> 好吃 了!<span class="trans">Wow! This sweet and sour pork is delicious!</span> <span class="expl">(The speaker never dreamt that sweet and sour pork could taste this good)</span>
  
 
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Revision as of 08:22, 13 June 2013

Chinese-grammar-wiki-ke.jpg

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 speakers 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+adjective

Examples

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

  • 这 只 小 狗 淘气 了!These dogs are so naughty! (The speaker never expected dogs to be this naughty)
  • 哇,这 个 糖醋 里脊 好吃 了!Wow! This sweet and sour pork is delicious! (The speaker never dreamt that sweet and sour pork could taste this good)

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:

  • 来 了! (The speaker never expected it would take so long for you to get here)
  • 别 喝 太 多 酒。 (I'm not expecting you to drink a lot)
  • 别 走! (I'm blocking your way, almost pleading with you, as I believe you are going to leave)
  • 不 能 这 样 说。 (What you said doesn't accord with my own beliefs)

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

See also

Sources and further reading

Books