Difference between revisions of "Expressing permission with "keyi""

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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 <em>可以</em> 坐 在 这里。<span class="trans">You may sit here.</span>
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* 你 <em>可以</em> 告诉 他。<span class="trans">You can tell him.</span>
 
* 我 <em>可以</em> 看 这 个 吗?<span class="trans">May I see this?</span>
 
* 我 <em>可以</em> 看 这 个 吗?<span class="trans">May I see this?</span>
 
* 他 <em>可以</em> 跟 我们 来。<span class="trans">He can come with us.</span>
 
* 他 <em>可以</em> 跟 我们 来。<span class="trans">He can come with us.</span>

Revision as of 09:05, 10 January 2014

可以 (kěyǐ) is primarily used for expressing permission.

Structure

Permission is expressed with the auxiliary verb 可以. It might be helpful to think of 可以 as meaning "may." This will help to keep its functions and usage clear.

Subject + 可以 + Verb + Object

Use this structure to express permission to do things.

Examples

  • 可以 告诉 他。You can tell him.
  • 可以 看 这 个 吗?May I see this?
  • 可以 跟 我们 来。He can come with us.
  • 可以 进来 吗?Can I come in?
  • 可以早 点 来 吗?Can you come early?
  • 十 八 岁 以后 可以 喝 酒。After you are 18 years old you may drink alcohol.
  • 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?May we eat now?
  • 这里 可以 说话 吗?Can I speak here?

Negating 可以 sentences

可以 sentences are negated with 不 , which is inserted in front of 可以:

Subject + 不 + 可以 + Verb + Object

Examples

  • 这里 有 人,你 不 可以 坐 在 这里。There are people. You can't sit here.
  • 小孩子 不 可以 看 这 个。Small kids can't see that.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 we eat now?

See also

Sources and further reading