可否 (kě fǒu) — may I ask if it is possible; can or cannot; whether it is possible or not

Definition

Formal written phrase used to politely ask 'whether or not…', typically before a verb (可否接受 = 'may it be accepted?'). It is much more formal than everyday 能 or 可以, and appears in formal letters, official questions, and academic writing.

verb
may I ask if it is possiblecan or cannotwhether it is possible or not
Easily confused

Examples

  • 可否？
    Qǐng wèn kě fǒu zài zhè lǐ tíng chē?
    May I ask if we can park here?
  • 可否？
    Zhè ge fāng àn kě fǒu jiē shòu?
    Can this plan be accepted?
  • 可否？
    kě fǒu Qǐng nǐ bāng gè máng?
    May I ask you for a favor?

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

可kěcan
否fǒunot

可 means can and 否 means not; together they ask whether something can or cannot be done.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒu
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.

Open 可 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
不
不bù否pǐ
Same sound today

否 is built from 口 (mouth) and 不 (not), with 不 giving the sound and 口 relating to speech.

Open 否 →

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