不可

bùkě

adverb #2,135

Meanings

HSK 7-9

这件事不可掉以轻心。

Zhè jiàn shì bùkě diàoyǐqīngxīn.

This matter must not be taken lightly.

HSK 7-9

机不可失，时不再来。

Jībùkěshī, shí bùzài lái.

Opportunity must not be missed; it won't come again.

HSK 7-9

不可以在这里吸烟。

Bùkě yǐ zài zhèlǐ xīyān.

Smoking is not allowed here.

grammar

不可 is more literary and formal than 不能 or 不可以. It often appears in set phrases and written Chinese, like 不可思议 (unbelievable) or 不可能 (impossible).

不 bù

可 kě