ChinesePath可以 (kěyǐ): Permission, Possibility and "Good Enough" in Chinese
可以 kěyǐ is the politeness workhorse of Chinese modal verbs: it asks and grants permission, states that a course of action works or is workable, and — in a use learners meet on day one of small talk — rates something as "acceptable, decent" (还可以, "it's okay"). It stands before the main verb like all modal verbs, forms questions as 可以吗 or 可不可以, and negates as 不可以 — with a twist covered below.
Use 1: permission — asking and granting
- 我可以用你的电脑吗？Wǒ kěyǐ yòng nǐ de diànnǎo ma? (May I use your computer?)
- 这里可以拍照吗？Zhèlǐ kěyǐ pāizhào ma? (Is photography allowed here?)
- 你们可以回家了。Nǐmen kěyǐ huí jiā le. (You may go home now.)
- 妈妈说，做完功课才可以看电视。Māma shuō, zuò wán gōngkè cái kěyǐ kàn diànshì. (Mom says TV only after homework.) — note 才 marking the strict condition
Prohibition is 不可以 (or 不能):
- 不可以在图书馆大声说话。Bù kěyǐ zài túshūguǎn dàshēng shuōhuà. (No loud talking in the library.)
- 作业没做完就不可以回家。Zuòyè méi zuò wán jiù bù kěyǐ huí jiā. (No going home until the homework is done.)
Use 2: it works / it's feasible
可以 can stand in for 能 on ability and feasibility:
- 他一分钟可以打两百个字。Tā yī fēnzhōng kěyǐ dǎ liǎng bǎi gè zì. (He can type two hundred characters a minute.)
- 这个办法可以试试。Zhège bànfǎ kěyǐ shìshi. (This approach is worth a try.)
- 这个旧零件可以废物利用。Zhège jiù língjiàn kěyǐ fèiwù lìyòng. (This old part can be recycled.)
Use 3: "acceptable, decent" — the verdict use
Standing alone as a predicate, 可以 delivers a judgment: it meets the standard.
- 这个方案可以，就这么定了。Zhège fāng'àn kěyǐ, jiù zhème dìng le. (This plan works — settled.)
- 他的表现还可以。Tā de biǎoxiàn hái kěyǐ. (His performance is decent.) — with 还 capping the praise at "passable"
还可以 is one of the standard lukewarm answers to "how was it?", alongside 还不错 and 还行.
The negation twist
不可以 means "not allowed" — but the everyday negation of feasibility is 不能: 今天信号不好，不可以视频通话 sounds odd; say 不能视频通话. Rule of thumb: prohibit with 不可以, disable with 不能. In formal or written prohibitions, 不得 bù dé takes over: 未满十八岁不得进入 (no entry under eighteen). The bookish one-syllable form 可 survives in formal writing: 如有疑问，可联系客服 (for questions, contact support).
可以 vs 能 vs 会
| Question | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Is it allowed? | 可以 (or 能) | 这里可以拍照吗？ |
| Is it feasible now? | 能 (or 可以) | 你现在能来吗？ |
| Is the skill there? | 会 | 你会开车吗？ |
可以 and 能 overlap heavily; 会 stands apart, guarding learned skills. The full three-way comparison lives in the article on 会.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I ask for permission in Chinese?
可以…吗: 我可以用你的电脑吗? (May I use your computer?) — or the A-not-A form 可不可以. 能 works the same way (我能坐这儿吗?). Granting is 可以 or 行; refusing is 不可以 / 不行.
What is the difference between 可以 and 能?
They overlap on permission and feasibility, and are often interchangeable. The anchors: 可以 leans to permission and "this works"; 能 leans to capacity and conditions. Negation splits more sharply: 不可以 = not allowed; 不能 = not allowed or unable.
What does 还可以 mean?
"Pretty decent / okay" — an evaluation that clears the bar without enthusiasm: 他的表现还可以 (his performance was okay). 还 caps the praise; drop it and 可以 alone is a firmer thumbs-up: 这个方案可以 (this plan works).
What is 不得?
The formal, written prohibition corresponding to 不可以: 未满十八岁不得进入酒吧 (persons under eighteen may not enter bars). You'll meet it on signs, rules and contracts rather than in conversation.
Can 可以 start an answer by itself?
Yes — 可以 is a complete answer granting permission or approval: "可以。" (Sure / you may.) Likewise the refusal: "不可以。" (No, you may not.)
Try the first unit free