Character
可 = 丁 + 口
A nail in the mouth, something acceptable
All meanings
- can
- may
- able to
- to approve
- to permit
- to suit
- (particle used for emphasis) certainly
- very
In context
Example sentences
可以进来吗？
Kěyǐ jìnlái ma?
May I come in?
Keep going
Related words
Words with 可
Grammar notes
Appears in these articles
HSK levels
可: New to the HSK lists at HSK 3. See where your old level lands
New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting of the new exam is announced for 13 December 2026, for HSK 1 to 6. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.
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Frequently Asked Questions
可 (kě) means "can; may; able to; to approve; to permit; to suit; (particle used for emphasis) certainly; very" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 3.
可 is pronounced "kě" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 3.
可 is an HSK 3 word on the new HSK exam syllabus.
Common words with 可 include 不可 (cannot), 不可估量 (inestimable), 不可告人 (hidden), 不可多得 (hard to come by), 不可思议 (inconceivable (idiom); unimaginable).
可 has 5 strokes. Its radical is 口. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.