Difference between revisions of "Emphatic adverb "ke""

Revision as of 10:06, 21 October 2011

可 can be used like 很 to add emphasis to an adjective, or like like 真 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.

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

这个小狗可淘气！(I never expected dogs to be this naughty)
哇，这个糖醋鲤鸡可好吃啊！（I'v never dreamt that sweet and sour pork could taste this good)

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

你可来了! At last! I never expected it would take so long for you to get here,
我可没想到小李会跟他女友分手 I wouldn't in a million years think that they'd split up
你可别喝太多酒 (I'm expected you to drink a lot)
你可别走 (I'm blocking your way, almost pleading with you not to leave, as I believe you have reason to leave)

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

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

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-可 can be used like 很 or 非常 to add emphasis to an adjective. It is stronger than other modifiers, as 可 relates to the speakers expectation of the situation. The exact way 可 is used is hard to grasp, as it is very reliant on context.
+可 can be used like 很 to add emphasis to an adjective, or like like 真 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.
@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 <div class="liju">
 * 这 个 小 狗 <em>可</em> 淘气！(I never expected dogs to be this naughty)
-* 哇，这 个 糖醋 鲤 鸡 <em>可</em> 好吃 啊！（This sweet and sour pork is just like I dreamed it would be)
+* 哇，这 个 糖醋 鲤 鸡 <em>可</em> 好吃 啊！（I'v never dreamt that sweet and sour pork could taste this good)
 </div>
-So 可 can emphasize that what you are describing is the same as, or the opposite to your expectation.
 In these examples 可 is used a bit like 真, and used to emphasize a verb:
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 In the last two sentences 可 is  used with 别, and sounds a bit like "don't even think about..." in English
-It can also be used to emphasize rhetorical questions:
-<div class="liju">
-* 这 件 事 他 <em>可</em> 知道? (I never thought he would know)
-* 他 <em>可</em> 对 你 说 什么 呢？ (What on earth he say to you, I can't imagine).
-</div>
 可 is generally used by Northern speakers, and is informal, only used in spoken Chinese.