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可能 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
可能kěnéngmight (happen)HSK 2, v, rank #100, Medium
可能kěnéngpossibleHSK 2, v, rank #100, Medium
可能kěnéngprobableHSK 2, v, rank #100, Medium
可能kěnéngpossibilityHSK 2, v, rank #100, Medium
可能kěnéngprobabilityHSK 2, v, rank #100, Medium
可能kěnéngmaybeHSK 2, v, rank #100, Medium
可能kěnéngperhapsHSK 2, v, rank #100, Medium
可能kěnéng>个[gè]HSK 2, v, rank #100, Medium
kěnéng(ke3neng2) T3
  1. 1might (happen)
  2. 2possible
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March 24, 2026
可能kěnéng(ke3neng2)

可能 (kě néng) means 'possible' or 'might happen'. It is commonly used to express uncertainty about an event or situation, suggesting that something has a chance of occurring. This word is often used in everyday conversations to indicate probability or likelihood.

Frequency#100DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of possibility is often related to fate and destiny, which plays a significant role in decision-making processes. The idea that certain events might be destined to happen reflects traditional beliefs in fortune-telling and astrology.

Memory Tip

Think of 可能 (kě néng) as a door that opens to possibilities. The character 可能 has the radical 可能, which can be imagined as two pathways (the 'kě' part) leading to different outcomes (the 'néng' part). Picture opening a door and considering whether to step through or not, representing the concept of possibility.

Meanings of 可能

kěnéng(ke3neng2)
1might (happen)
2possible
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 可能

可能Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#100Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 可能

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Podcast: 可能

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AI Study Notes for 可能

Quick Contrast

可能 (kěnéng) vs 也许 (yěxǔ) — use 可能 when emphasizing the possibility of an event occurring, while 也许 suggests a more tentative or uncertain possibility.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 可能 (kě néng) as a door that opens to possibilities. The character 可能 has the radical 可能, which can be imagined as two pathways (the 'kě' part) leading to different outcomes (the 'néng' part). Picture opening a door and considering whether to step through or not, representing the concept of possibility.

Usage Notes

Avoid using 可能 in overly formal contexts; it’s typically used in everyday conversations. Be careful with the tone; the first character 'kě' should be pronounced with a third tone and the second character 'néng' with a second tone. Common collocations include '可能会' (might) and '可能性' (possibility).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 2 word, 可能 connects well with other terms expressing possibility and uncertainty like '会' (will) and '要' (to want). Students should focus on practicing its usage in sentences to become comfortable with expressing potential outcomes.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of possibility is often related to fate and destiny, which plays a significant role in decision-making processes. The idea that certain events might be destined to happen reflects traditional beliefs in fortune-telling and astrology.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 可能 with other expressions of possibility. For example, saying '我可能会去' (I might go) is correct, but saying '我会可能去' is incorrect; the correct order is essential.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 可能

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Component Characters

可kěcan
HSK 35 strokes口
View full entry
能néngto be able to
HSK 110 strokes⺼
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Write 可能

可
能

Practice writing 可能 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 可能

可能 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他____出去了。

He probably went out.

Example Sentences for 可能 (10)

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1
我正追查几件可能互相关联的事。

wǒ zhèng zhuī chá jī jiàn kě néng hù xiāng guān lián de shì。

I'm following up a few things that might dovetail.
2
你可能从小就被教育那样考虑问题。

nǐ kě néng cóng xiǎo jiù bèi jiào yù nà yàng kǎo lǜ wèn tí。

You were probably brought up to think like that.
3
如果潮湿发霉的建筑令你生病了，霉菌很可能是病因。

rú guǒ cháo shī fā méi de jiàn zhù líng nǐ shēng bìng le， ， méi jūn hěn kě néng shì bìng。

If damp, musty buildings make you ill, mould is probably the cause.
4
你可能得了职业性皮肤病。

nǐ kě néng dé le zhí yè xìng pí fū bìng。

You might be having an occupationally related skin problem.
5
我要见你，如果可能，马上。

wǒ yào jiàn nǐ， ， rú guǒ kě， néng ，。

I need to see you, right away if possible.
6
预订晚了的话你可能要额外多花钱。

yù dìng wǎn le de huà nǐ kě néng yào é wài duō huā qián。

A late booking may involve you in extra cost.
7
催眠疗法可能有助于你戒烟。

cuī mián liáo fǎ kě néng yǒu zhù yú nǐ jiè yān。

Hypnotherapy can be useful in helping you give up smoking.
8
这项服务可能要你额外支付10％的费用.

zhè xiàng fú wù kě néng yào nǐ é wài zhī fù10％ 10％ de fèi.

You may be charged 10% extra for this service.
9
事业上的发展可能会引发你很多的思考。

shì yè shàng de fā zhǎn kě néng huì yǐn fā nǐ hěn duō de sī kǎo。

Developments in your career may give you food for thought.
10
你要清楚他们可能会就这起人身侵犯案毫不留情地盘问你。

nǐ yào qīng chǔ tā mén kě néng huì jiù zhè qǐ rén shēn qīn fàn àn háo bù liú qíng dì pán wèn nǐ。

You know you are liable to be cross-examined mercilessly about the assault.

Cultural Notes for 可能

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of possibility is often related to fate and destiny, which plays a significant role in decision-making processes. The idea that certain events might be destined to happen reflects traditional beliefs in fortune-telling and astrology.

Frequently Asked Questions about 可能

You can use 可能 to express uncertainty, like '明天可能下雨' (It might rain tomorrow).