kěn
verb HSK 6 #1,307

Meanings

  1. 1 to be willing to; to agree to; to consent

Examples

Tā bù kěn gàosu wǒ.
He won't tell me (is unwilling to).
Nǐ kěn bāng wǒ ma?
Are you willing to help me?
Tā kěndìng bù kěn dāying.
She definitely won't agree to it.
Zhǐyào nǐ kěn nǔlì, jiù yīdìng néng chénggōng.
As long as you're willing to work hard, you'll surely succeed.

Tips

usage
expresses willingness, often used in negative: 不肯 = unwilling/refuses to. It implies a conscious choice, not just ability. Compare: 不肯 (refuses to) vs 不能 (can't) vs 不会 (won't/doesn't know how to).

Stroke Order

kěn