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<p><span style="color: rgb(139, 0, 0); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 22px;">可</span> (<span class="pinyin">kě</span>) can be used to intensify an adjective, or to add emphasis to a verb. It is stronger than other modifiers, as <span class="hanzi">可</span> compares the speaker's expectations with the actual situation. The meaning of <span class="hanzi">可</span> is very reliant on context.</p>
<p><span style="color: rgb(139, 0, 0); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 22px;">可</span> is generally used by Northern speakers and is informal, generally only used in spoken Chinese.</p>
<h2 id="可-used-to-intensify-an-adjective">可 used to intensify an adjective</h2>
<h3 id="structure">Structure</h3>
<div class="jiegou"><div class="deux"><span class="hanzist">可</span> + Adj.</div>
</div>
<h3 id="examples">Examples</h3>
<p>In these examples, <span class="hanzi">可</span> is used a bit like <span class="hanzi">很</span>, as it is used to intensify an adjective:</p>
<div class="exemple">
<ul>
<li><span class="hanzi">这 只 小 狗 可 淘气 了！</span> <span class="vert"> The speaker never expected dogs to be this naughty</span><span class="trans"> These dogs are so naughty!</span></li>
<li><span class="hanzi">哇，这 个 糖醋 里脊 可 好吃 了！</span> <span class="vert"> The speaker never dreamt that sweet and sour pork could taste this good</span><span class="trans"> Wow! This sweet and sour pork is delicious!</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2 id="可-used-to-emphasize-a-verb"><span style="color: rgb(255, 127, 80); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 30px; font-weight: normal;">可</span> used to emphasize a verb</h2>
<h3 id="structure-1">Structure</h3>
<div class="jiegou"><div class="deux"><span class="hanzist">可</span> + Verb</div>
</div>
<h3 id="examples-1">Examples</h3>
<p>In these examples <span class="hanzi">可</span> is used a bit like <span class="hanzi">真</span>, and used to emphasize a verb:</p>
<div class="exemple">
<ul>
<li><span class="hanzi">你 可 来 了!</span>  <span class="vert">The speaker never expected it would take so long for you to get here)</span></li>
<li><span class="hanzi">你 可 别 喝 太 多 酒。</span> <span class="vert">I'm not expecting you to drink a lot)</span></li>
<li><span class="hanzi">你 可 别 走！</span> <span class="vert">I'm blocking your way, almost pleading with you, as I believe you are going to leave)</span></li>
<li><span class="hanzi">话 可 不 能 这 样 说。</span> <span class="vert">What you said doesn't accord with my own beliefs)</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p>In two of the sentences above, <span class="hanzi">可</span> is used with <span class="hanzi">别</span>, and sounds a bit like "<b>don't even think about...</b>" in English.</p>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<h2 id="sources-and-further-reading">Sources and further reading</h2>
<h3 id="books">Books</h3>
<ul>
<li>Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 270-1) </li>
<li>Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 56) </li>
</ul>
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