可有可无

可有可無

kěyǒukěwú

phrase #26,060

Meanings

1 dispensable
2 optional
3 take it or leave it
4 neither essential nor superfluous

Characters

to not have, without

Examples

这个功能对我来说是可有可无的。

Zhège gōngnéng duì wǒ lái shuō shì kěyǒukěwú de.

This feature is dispensable to me.

他觉得自己在团队里是可有可无的。

Tā juédé zìjǐ zài tuánduì lǐ shì kěyǒukěwú de.

He felt he was dispensable in the team.

Tips

memory

Literally: can have or can not have — perfectly captures something that is optional or non-essential.

Stroke Order

可 kě

有 yǒu

无 wú