What Does 可以 (kěyǐ) Mean in Chinese?
Enhanced context lessonCommon
Can / May / Okay
Quick answer: What does 可以 mean?
可以 — 可以 can ask for permission, grant permission, or say that an option is acceptable.
✓May I…?
✓Yes, you can.
✓That option works.
What Chinese people actually mean
When you ask 我可以…吗, you usually ask whether you may do something. When you reply 可以, you may be granting permission or agreeing to a plan. Physical ability is often expressed with 能.
Literal meaning
Literally, can or may.
When not to use it
Do not assume 可以 always means enthusiastic agreement; it can simply grant permission.
Common mistakes
- It can express permission, possibility or that a plan works.
Compare & practice
Compare 行 / 可以 / 行吧 / 都行 / 还行 in everyday situations.
See the differences & try 5 questions →Chinese characters
Open each character to see its own meanings and vocabulary links.
可kě(prefix) can; may; able to; -able以yǐMeaning in this word: context-dependent
Real conversations
1 · Asking permission
A: 我可以坐这里吗？
wǒ kěyǐ zuò zhèlǐ ma?
A: May I sit here?
B: 可以，请坐。
kěyǐ, qǐng zuò.
B: Yes, please sit.
2 · Agreeing to a time
A: 六点出发可以吗？
liù diǎn chūfā kěyǐ ma?
A: Would leaving at six work?
B: 可以，但别迟到。
kěyǐ, dàn bié chídào.
B: That works, but don’t be late.
How to pronounce 可以
可以
Tap to hear Mandarin.
When to use it
✓Use 可以 for permission, a possible action, or an acceptable option. A short 可以 can be a complete reply.
✓To grant permission clearly, add the action: 可以，请坐 (kěyǐ, qǐng zuò), “Yes, please sit.”
✓After someone grants a request, 谢谢 (xièxie), “Thank you,” can acknowledge their help or permission. There is no fixed response required after every 可以.
✓可以 can also agree to a time or plan. In casual conversation, 行 can often do the same job.
✓会 commonly describes a learned skill; 能 commonly describes ability or circumstances that make an action possible. These overlap with 可以 in some contexts, so read the whole sentence.
Sources and editorial note
Base dictionary data: CC-CEDICT · CC BY-SA 4.0.Context lesson: Original Chinese Meaning context lesson; examples written for this site.