可以
kěyǐ
can / may / okay / all right
可以 is one of the most flexible words in Mandarin. It means permission (you may), ability (you can), or agreement (okay/sounds good). It appears in 可以吗, 可以了, and 不可以.
Example sentences
可以，没问题。
Kěyǐ, méi wèntí.
Okay, no problem.
明天可以吗？
Míngtiān kěyǐ ma?
Is tomorrow okay?
How to use 可以 in practice
可以 is a useful patterns item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin kěyǐ, then connect it to the meaning “can / may / okay / all right” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 可以，没问题。 / 明天可以吗？.
When you practice 可以, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 可以 only as “can / may / okay / all right” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Chinese speaking practice, start a short conversation, and use 可以 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 可以 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only kěyǐ, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
How is 可以 different from 能?
可以 often focuses on permission or acceptability (is it okay?). 能 focuses more on physical ability or circumstances (can you physically do it?). In practice they overlap a lot.
How can I remember 可以 faster?
Say 可以 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 可以 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 可以 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach