可 Stroke Order — How to Write 可
可 is written in 5 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 口, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
可 Radical and Character Components
可 is a phono-semantic compound: 丁 (vigorous) carries the meaning, while 口 indicates the sound.
Radical: 口 + 2 more strokes
可 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- kě
- kè
Meanings of 可 in Chinese
1
kě可
Used to express permission, approval, or preference; to allow, permit, approve, or would rather.
我宁可早起一点，也不愿上班迟到。
I'd rather get up a little earlier than be late for work.
can; be able to; indicating possibility or permission, often used in phrases like 'possible' or 'can be seen'.
你现在可以去休息了，工作完成了。
You can go and rest now, the work is finished.
Used to describe someone or something that elicits pity or sorrow; pitiable, lamentable.
这只流浪猫看起来非常可怜。
This stray cat looks very pitiful.
Suitable; fitting; agreeable to taste; palatable.
这杯果汁喝起来非常可口。
This glass of juice tastes very delicious.
To the utmost; with full effort or strength; to the fullest extent (often used with verbs to emphasize doing something with all one's might).
孩子们可劲儿地玩了一下午。
The children played with all their might all afternoon.
Approximately; about (used to indicate an estimated quantity or time).
这棵树可有十年了
This tree is about ten years old.
Used to indicate a turn in thought or a contrast, similar to 'but' or 'however'.
他很喜欢吃甜食，可是他必须控制饮食中的糖分。
He really likes eating sweets, but he must control the sugar content in his diet.
Used to express emphasis, intensifying the degree or extent of a statement, similar to "really" or "truly".
这个地方可真漂亮啊！
This place is truly beautiful!
Used in rhetorical questions to intensify the interrogative tone.
这件事明明很简单，可为什么做不好呢？
This matter is clearly very simple, but why can't it be done well?
Used in rhetorical questions to emphasize doubt or inquiry.
你可知道他去了哪里？
Do you really know where he went?
2
kè可
A title for ancient rulers of nomadic peoples, as in '可汗 (kèhán)' for 'Khan'.
传说中，那位英勇的游牧民族首领被尊称为可汗。
According to legend, that brave nomadic leader was respectfully called Khan.
Common Words and Phrases with 可
1
lovable, lovely, or cute
那个小女孩笑起来真可爱，让人忍不住想抱抱她。
That little girl looks so adorable when she smiles, making people can't help but want to hug her.
2
3
pleasant to smell; having a good scent.
这花朵散发着清雅可鼻的香气，令人心旷神怡。
This flower emits an elegant and delightful aroma, bringing a refreshing and joyful feeling.
4
Despicable, contemptible, or mean, referring to something that evokes scorn or disgust.
那种欺骗朋友的行为，真是可鄙
That kind of behavior, deceiving a friend, is truly despicable.
5
variable; changeable
这款手机的存储空间是可变的，可以根据需要扩展。
The storage space of this phone is variable and can be expanded as needed.
6
Indeed; exactly; that is so (used to express strong agreement with what someone has said)
A:这家咖啡馆的拿铁味道真好！B:可不！每次路过我都想来一杯。
A: The latte at this cafe tastes really good! B: You bet! Every time I pass by, I want to have a cup.
7
8
Exactly! That's right!
A:这款新手机的功能真是太强大了。B:可不是，我朋友也这么说，用起来特别方便。
A: The functions of this new phone are really powerful. B: Exactly, my friend said the same thing, it's super convenient to use.
9
an exploitable opportunity; an opportunity that can be taken advantage of
公司团队一直在寻找市场上的可乘之机，以推出创新产品。
The company team has been constantly looking for opportune moments in the market to launch innovative products.
10
Shameful; disgraceful; something that should make one feel ashamed.
他的这种行为是可耻的，让人不齿。
His behavior is disgraceful and contemptible.
11
Codeine (C18H21NO3·H2O) is a crystalline alkaloid obtained from opium or morphine. It has effects similar to morphine but is less potent, and is also known as morphine methyl ester.
医生开了一些可待因药片来帮助缓解他术后的疼痛。
The doctor prescribed some codeine tablets to help relieve his post-operative pain.
12
Cortisone is a hormone, specifically an adrenal hormone, that is a white crystalline substance. It has anti-inflammatory, antitoxic, and anti-immune effects and is used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and leukemia.
医生为缓解她的关节疼痛，给她开了可的松处方。
The doctor prescribed cortisone to alleviate her joint pain.
13
The quality of text that makes it easy and enjoyable to read and understand, often implying its engaging and appealing nature.
提高文章的可读性可以吸引更多的读者。
Improving the readability of an article can attract more readers.
14
Detestable; abominable; hateful.
那个小偷真是可恶，竟然偷走了我的钱包。
That thief is truly detestable; he actually stole my wallet.
More words with 可
- rèn认kě可to approve, accept, or confirm
- nìng宁kě可would rather, prefer
- shàng尚kě可Passable; acceptable.
- wèi未kě可cannot
- jìn尽kě可néng能As much as possible, As far as possible
- cháng常kě可Often possible, Usually permissible
- měng猛kě可Suddenly, All of a sudden
- xú许kě可Permit; allow
- kě可guān观considerable, substantial
- kě可jiàn见visible, evident
- kě可kào靠reliable, trustworthy
- ké可kǒu口delicious, tasty
- kě可wèi谓can be called, it can be said
- ké可yǐ以can, may
- bù不kě可Cannot, Must not
- ké可hǎo好Is it okay?, How about it?
- kě可lián怜pitiful, poor
- kě可xī惜What a pity, What a shame
- kě可xiào笑funny, laughable
- kě可xìn信reliable, trustworthy
Idioms with 可
- kě可chéng乘zhī之xì隙exploitable weakness or opportunity
- kě可fā发yī一jué噱truly amusing or laughable
- kě可gē歌kě可qì泣inspiring admiration and deep emotion
- kě可jiàn见yī一bān斑infer the whole from a small part
- kě可lián怜bā巴bā巴piteous and pathetic
- kě可lián怜xī兮xī兮looking pitiful and pathetic
- kě可xǐ喜kě可hè贺worthy of joy and congratulations
- kě可xiǎng想ér而zhī知it can well be imagined
- kě可xīn心rù如yì意to one's heart's content
- kě可yǒu有kě可wú无dispensable or optional
- kě可yù遇nàn难qiú求hard to come by
- bān班bān班kě可kǎo考clearly verifiable and well-documented
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Open the tool →Questions about 可
What does 可 mean in Chinese?
可 (kě) means “can” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 可?
可 has 2 pronunciations: kě, kè.
How many strokes does 可 have?
可 has 5 strokes.
How do you write 可?
可 is written in 5 strokes, starting from the radical 口. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 可?
The radical of 可 is 口, and 可 is a phono-semantic compound.