可以
HSK 1 (exam 2025)HSK 2 (2021)Old HSK 2
可以 (kěyǐ) · can
可以 (kěyǐ) means “can; may; not bad”. It is written with 2 characters: 可 (but) + 以 (with). It is an HSK 1 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).
How 可以 is built
The characters
可 kě · but
What 可 is made of
- 丁dīng — male adult
- 口kǒu — mouth
- 冂 — frame
- 丨 — vertical stroke
- 一 — horizontal stroke
- 冂 — frame
Origin hint: 丁 gives the meaning, 口 gives the sound. (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
以 yǐ · with
What 以 is made of
- 人rén — person
Example sentences
我可以进来吗？Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma?May I come in?
这个菜还可以。Zhège cài hái kěyǐ.This dish is not bad.
Questions about 可以
What does 可以 mean?
可以 (kěyǐ) means “can; may; not bad”.
How do you pronounce 可以?
可以 is pronounced kěyǐ.
Which HSK level is 可以?
可以 is in HSK 1 (exam 2025) and HSK 2 (2021) and Old HSK 2.
Related words
- 可爱kě'àicute
- 可能kěnéngmaybe
- 可怕kěpàscary
- 可是kěshìbut
- 可靠kěkàoreliable
- 可乐kělècola
- 认可rènkěto approve
- 可见kějiànit is clear that
- 可怜kěliánpitiful
- 可惜kěxīit's a pity
Learn 可以 with its group
It is part of HSK 2 (2021) · Group 10: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.