可能
HSK 2 (exam 2025)HSK 2 (2021)Old HSK 2
可能 (kěnéng) · maybe
可能 (kěnéng) means “maybe; possible; possibility”. It is written with 2 characters: 可 (but) + 能 (can). It is an HSK 2 word in the current exam syllabus (2025).
How 可能 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)
能 néng · can
What 能 is made of
- 厶sī — private
- ⺼ — meat
- 匕bǐ — spoon
- 乚 — hook stroke
- 丿 — falling stroke
- 匕bǐ — spoon
- 乚 — hook stroke
- 丿 — falling stroke
Origin hint: A bear's head 厶, body ⺼, and claws 匕 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)
Example sentences
他可能不来了。Tā kěnéng bù lái le.He might not come.
这可能吗？Zhè kěnéng ma?Is this possible?
Questions about 可能
What does 可能 mean?
可能 (kěnéng) means “maybe; possible; possibility”.
How do you pronounce 可能?
可能 is pronounced kěnéng.
Which HSK level is 可能?
可能 is in HSK 2 (exam 2025) and HSK 2 (2021) and Old HSK 2.
Related words
- 可爱kě'àicute
- 可怕kěpàscary
- 可是kěshìbut
- 可以kěyǐcan
- 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 可能 with its group
It is part of HSK 2 (2021) · Group 7: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.