可以
may, can (be allowed to)
Structure
主语 + 可以 + 动词 · ……可以……吗？ · 不可以／不能
What it means
可以 + verb asks for or gives permission: “may”, “can (be allowed to)”.
How it is built
我 + 可以 + verb + 吗？: 我可以坐这儿吗？ (May I sit here?). Yes: 可以 (or 行). No: 不可以 or 不能.
When to use it
能 (lesson h1-14) can also ask for permission. To say something is not allowed: 这儿不可以打电话 (you can’t make phone calls here).
Watch out
✗ 我会坐这儿吗？ ✓ 我可以坐这儿吗？ 会 never asks for permission: it means “know how to” or “will”.
Examples
我可以坐这儿吗？
May I sit here?
——我可以进来吗？——请进！
“May I come in?” “Please do!”
这儿不可以打电话。
You can’t make phone calls here.
你可以用我的手机。
You can use my phone.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 1: 新同事 (A new colleague)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. This lesson is free.
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