可 (kě) — (adverb) used for emphasis: really, certainly, very; (conjunction) but, however
Definition
Here 可 is a literary word, not the everyday 可以. As an adverb it means 'really, certainly' for emphasis; as a conjunction it means 'but, however'. Compared to 可能 ('possibly'), 可 expresses certainty, not possibility.
adverb
used for emphasis: reallycertainlyvery
conjunction
buthowever
Examples
- 可。Tā pǎo dé kě kuài le.He runs really fast.
- ，。Tā hěn cōng ming, kě bú yòng gōng.He is very smart, but he doesn't work hard.
- 。Wǒ kě bù xiǎng qù.I really don't want to go.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Sound part声符shēngfú
丂
丂kǎo可kě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
可 pairs 口 (mouth) with 丂 as a sound part; it is tied to air from the mouth, perhaps singing.
Grammar
Appears in
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