(Mandarin)
(Cantonese)

HSK 1

Dictionary

can/may/possible/able to/not bad/pretty good

Examples

你可以帮我拿一下那本书吗?

Nǐ kě yǐ bāng wǒ ná yī xià nà běn shū ma?

Can you help me get that book?

Did You Know?

Grammar

Word Formation

可 means 'can/able' and 以 means 'to use/for'.

Usage Tips

可以 is used for permission or ability (我可以去吗?Can I go?), but for physical ability, use 会 (huì) — 我可以游泳 means 'I may swim', while 我会游泳 means 'I know how to swim'.