Usage note
可以 is used to express permission or possibility in daily life, such as asking for help or giving consent.
可以 is used to express permission or possibility in daily life, such as asking for help or giving consent.
Context note
可以 often appears in requests, offers, and responses about doing something or allowing someone to do something.
可以 often appears in requests, offers, and responses about doing something or allowing someone to do something.
5 examples
我可以吃点水果吗？
Wǒ kě yǐ chī diǎn shuǐ guǒ ma?
Can I have some fruit?
你可以说中文了。
Nǐ kě yǐ shuō zhōng wén le.
You can speak Chinese now.
我可以帮你吗？
Wǒ kě yǐ bāng nǐ ma?
Can I help you?
这个玩具可以玩吗？
Zhège wán具 kě yǐ wán ma?
Can we play with this toy?
我可以去公园吗？
Wǒ kě yǐ qù gōng yuán ma?
Can I go to the park?
5 mini stories
妈妈可以带我去超市。爸爸也可以。
Māma kě yǐ dài wǒ qù shì cūn. Bàba yě kě yǐ.
Mom can take me to the supermarket. Dad can too.
我可以和朋友一起玩。
Wǒ kě yǐ hé péngyou yīqǐ wán.
I can play with my friends together.
妈妈可以给我讲故事。
Māma kě yǐ gěi wǒ jiǎo shì.
Mom can tell me a story.
我可以去上学吗？老师说可以。
Wǒ kě yǐ qù shàng xué ma? Lǎoshī shuō kě yǐ.
Can I go to school? The teacher said yes.
妈妈可以帮我做作业。
Māma kě yǐ bāng wǒ zuò zuòyè.
Mom can help me with my homework.
Mini dialogue
请求许可
A
妈妈，我可以看电视吗？
Mā ma, wǒ kě yǐ kàn diàn shì ma?
Mom, may I watch TV?
B
可以，但是只能看二十分钟。
Kě yǐ, dàn shì zhǐ néng kàn èr shí fēn zhōng.
Yes, you may, but only for twenty minutes.
提供帮助
A
这个字我不认识。
Zhè ge zì wǒ bù rèn shi.
I don't know this character.
B
我可以教你。
Wǒ kě yǐ jiāo nǐ.
I can teach you.
Related words and contrasts
similar
能
néng
can, to be able to
Both mean 'can'; 可以 often implies permission, 能 often implies ability
contrast
会
huì
can, will, to know how to
会 is for learned skills; 可以 is for permission or possibility
opposite
不行
bù xíng
not okay, cannot
A common way to say something is not allowed