可不可以

kěbùkěyǐ

phrase #7,071

Meanings

1 can or cannot?
2 is it okay to...?
3 may I...?

Characters

to use; thereby (with 可: permitted)

Examples

HSK 1

我可不可以坐这里？

Wǒ kěbùkěyǐ zuò zhèlǐ?

May I sit here?

HSK 1

你可不可以帮我一个忙？

Nǐ kěbùkěyǐ bāng wǒ yīgè máng?

Could you do me a favor?

Tips

grammar

可不可以 is the A-not-A question form of 可以. This pattern works with other verbs: 行不行, 好不好, 能不能.

usage

可不可以 is softer and more polite than 能不能. Use 可不可以 for permission and 能不能 for ability or possibility.

Stroke Order

可 kě

不 bù

以 yǐ