可能 (kě néng) — (verb) may, might (expressing possibility); (adjective) possible, probable; (noun) possibility, probability
Definition
可能 is the everyday word for 'possible / might', covering both guess and chance. Unlike 可以 (can / may for permission or ability), it never marks ability or permission. As a noun, 可能性 abstract noun — 概率 is the technical term for probability.
verb
maymight (expressing possibility)
adjective
possibleprobable
noun
possibilityprobability
Measure word · 个
Examples
- 可能。Tā kě néng bù lái.He might not come.
- 可能。Zhè shì kě néng de.This is possible.
- 可能。Zhè jiàn shì yǒu hěn duō kě néng.This matter has many possibilities.
Appears in
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