6.4: Expressing permission with "keyi"

Introductory Chinese Grammar I · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY-NC-SA, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    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.

    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？Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma?May I come in?
    • 二十 一 岁 以后 可以 喝酒。Èrshí-yī suì yǐhòu kěyǐ hējiǔ.After you are 21 years old, you may drink alcohol.
    • 妈妈，我 可以 出去 玩 吗？Māma, wǒ kěyǐ chūqù wán ma?Mom, may I go out and play?
    • 我们 可以 在 办公室 吃饭 吗？Wǒmen kěyǐ zài bàngōngshì chīfàn ma?Can we eat in the office?
    • 我 可以 在 这里 停车 吗？Wǒ kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ tíngchē ma?Can I park here?

    Negating 可以 (kěyǐ) 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

    • 孩子 不 可以 看 这 个。Háizi bù kěyǐ kàn zhège.Children can't watch this.
    • 你 现在 不 可以 进去。Nǐ xiànzài bù kěyǐ jìnqù.You can't go in right now.
    • 这里 不 可以抽烟。Zhèlǐ bù kěyǐ chōuyān.You can't smoke here.
    • 我们 都 不 可以 去 。Wǒmen dōu bù kěyǐ qù.None of us may go.
    • 你 不 可以 说 脏话。Nǐ bù kěyǐ shuō zānghuà.You can't say swear words.

    This page titled 6.4: Expressing permission with "keyi" was last modified on Mon, 18 May 2020 06:09:04 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Chinese Grammar Wiki.