Difference between revisions of "Expressing permission with "keyi""
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* 小孩子 <em>不 可以</em> 看 这 个。<span class="pinyin">Xiǎo háizi <em>bù kěyǐ</em> kàn zhè ge.</span><span class="trans">Young children can't watch this.</span> | * 小孩子 <em>不 可以</em> 看 这 个。<span class="pinyin">Xiǎo háizi <em>bù kěyǐ</em> kàn zhè ge.</span><span class="trans">Young children can't watch this.</span> | ||
| − | * | + | * 你 现在 <em>不 可以</em> 进去。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ xiànzài <em>bù kěyǐ</em> jìnqù.</span><span class="trans">You can't go in right now.</span> |
| − | * | + | * 这里 <em>不 可以</em>抽烟。<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ <em>bù kěyǐ</em> chōuyān.</span><span class="trans">You can't smoke here.</span> |
| − | * | + | * 我们 都 <em>不 可以</em> 迟到。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen dōu <em>bù kěyǐ</em> chídào.</span><span class="trans">We all can't be late.</span> |
| − | * | + | * 你 <em> 不 可以</em> 说 脏话。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em> bù kěyǐ</em> shuō zānghuà.</span><span class="trans">You can't say swear words.</span> |
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Revision as of 09:36, 18 September 2015
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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
- 我 可以 进来 吗？May I come in?
- 二十 一 岁 以后 可以 喝 酒。After you are 21 years old you may drink alcohol.
- 妈妈，我 可以 出去 玩 吗？Mom, may I go out and have fun?
- 我们 可以 在 办公室 吃饭 吗？Can we eat in the office?
- 我 可以 在 这里 停车 吗？Can I park here?
Negating 可以 sentences
可以 (kěyǐ) sentences are negated with 不 (bù), which is inserted before 可以 (kěyǐ).
Structure
Subj. + 不 + 可以 + Verb + Obj.
Examples
- 小孩子 不 可以 看 这 个。Young children can't watch this.
- 你 现在 不 可以 进去。You can't go in right now.
- 这里 不 可以抽烟。You can't smoke here.
- 我们 都 不 可以 迟到。We all can't be late.
- 你 不 可以 说 脏话。You can't say swear words.
See also
- Expressing ability or possibility
- Comparing "hui" "neng" "keyi"
- Expressing a learned skill with "hui"
