Definitions
(auxiliary verb)
can; may; able to
(verb)
to approve; to permit
(adjective)
suitable; fitting
(particle)
certainly; very
About
The character "可" is structurally composed of "丂" and "口", where the "口" represents a mouth and the "丂" component is associated with breath or sound, indicating an initial concept of vocal expression leading to meanings of approval or permission. Etymologically, this formation underpins its early use as a verb meaning "to approve" or "to affirm". Subsequently, its application broadened to denote possibility and capability, evident in constructions like "可以" for "can" or "may", and it developed a grammatical role as an adjectival suffix, as in "可愛" for "lovable".
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这本书可有趣了。
你可以来我家。
她的小狗非常可爱。
明天可能下雨。
我很累，可是还得工作。
你可不可以帮我一个忙？
虽然价格很高，可是质量非常好。
鉴于目前的情况，我们可采取的措施有限。