TongTong
Sign in

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.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

可kěcan
能néngability

“可” and “能” both contribute the sense of ability or possibility, so together they mean possible.

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 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

能 is an old picture of a bear, showing two paws and a face with an open mouth.

Open 能 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 2500 Most Frequent Chinese WordsHSK 2.0 Level 21000 Most Frequent Chinese Words2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 2 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.