Modal Verbs: 可能 & 可以
能愿动词：可能/可以
Express possibility with 可能 and permission or ability with 可以
Place 可能 or 可以 before the main verb. 可能 expresses possibility ("might"), while 可以 expresses permission or capability ("may / can").
可能 deals with probability — whether something might happen. 可以 deals with permission or whether conditions allow an action. In HSK 1 you learned 会 and 能; now 可能 and 可以 add more shades of meaning.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Modal Verbs: 可能 & 可以 (能愿动词：可能/可以)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 能愿动词：可能/可以 pattern
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Understanding 能愿动词：可能/可以
At HSK 1, you learned 会 (learned skill) and 能 (physical or circumstantial ability). Now you are adding two more precision tools. 可能 is your "maybe" — it is about probability and guessing. When you say 他可能出去了 you are not sure, you are guessing he probably went out. 可以 is about permission and whether something is allowed or feasible. When you say 我可以进来吗？you are asking if you are allowed to come in. Think of 可能 as your crystal ball (predicting) and 可以 as your permission slip (asking if the rules allow it). The negative form 不可能 is very strong — it means "impossible!" while 不可以 means "not allowed." Master these and you will sound more nuanced and natural than most beginning learners.
Key Points
- 可能 (kěnéng) = "possibly / might / probably" — expresses uncertainty or likelihood.
- 可以 (kěyǐ) = "may / can / allowed to" — expresses permission or feasibility.
- 不可能 means "impossible" — much stronger than 不能.
- 不可以 means "not allowed" — a polite but firm refusal of permission.
- 可能 can also be used as an adjective: 这是可能的 (This is possible).
- 可以 is the most common way to ask permission politely: 我可以……吗？
- In conversation, 可能 often comes with time words: 他可能明天来 (He might come tomorrow).
- 可以 can express capability in informal speech: 这个可以吃 (This can be eaten / This is edible).
In Chinese culture, using 可以吗 to ask permission shows respect for boundaries. It is much more polite than simply stating what you want to do. This is especially important when speaking to elders, teachers, or people you do not know well.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
他可能出去了。
He probably went out.
Guessing — not sure where he is
我今天不可能写完这么多作业。
It is impossible for me to finish this much homework today.
老师，我可以进来吗？
Teacher, may I come in?
Asking permission politely
这儿不可以停车。
Parking is not allowed here.
明天可能下雨。
It might rain tomorrow.
你可以用我的手机。
You can use my phone.
Giving permission
这个问题可能很难。
This problem is probably very difficult.
考试的时候不可以说话。
You are not allowed to talk during the exam.
Common Mistakes
Rain does not need "permission" — you are guessing about the weather, so use 可能 (probability), not 可以 (permission).
You are asking for permission, not guessing whether you might use it. Use 可以 for permission requests.
If something prevents him from coming, use 不能. If you are guessing he might not come, use 可能不. 不可以 implies someone forbids him.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
When in doubt: if you are GUESSING, use 可能. If you are asking PERMISSION, use 可以.
不可能 is a dramatic phrase — use it when something is truly impossible, like a TV character saying "No way!"
Practice by making predictions about tomorrow: 明天可能很冷 / 可能下雪 / 他可能迟到.
At restaurants, 可以 is your friend: 我可以看菜单吗？我可以坐这儿吗？
Homework
Write five sentences using 可能 (predictions about the weekend) and five sentences using 可以 (things you are or are not allowed to do at school or work).