<!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> <meta name="generator" content= "HTML Tidy for HTML5 for Linux version 5.2.0" /> <title></title> </head> <body> <p>可 (kě) can be used to intensify an adjective, or to add emphasis to a verb. It is stronger than other modifiers, as 可 compares the speaker‘s expectations with the actual situation. The meaning of 可 is very reliant on context.</p> <p>可 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"> <p>可 + Adj.</p> </div> <h3 id="examples">Examples</h3> <p>In these examples, 可 is used a bit like 很, as it is used to intensify an adjective:</p> <div class="liju"> <ul> <li>这 只 小 狗 <em>可</em> 淘气 了！<span class="expl">The speaker never expected dogs to be this naughty</span><span class="trans">These dogs are so naughty!</span></li> <li>哇，这 个 糖醋 里脊 <em>可</em> 好吃 了！<span class="expl">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">可 used to emphasize a verb</h2> <h3 id="structure-1">Structure</h3> <div class="jiegou"> <p>可 + Verb</p> </div> <h3 id="examples-1">Examples</h3> <p>In these examples 可 is used a bit like 真, and used to emphasize a verb:</p> <div class="liju"> <ul> <li>你 <em>可</em> 来 了! <span class="expl">The speaker never expected it would take so long for you to get here)</span></li> <li>你 <em>可</em> 别 喝 太 多 酒。 <span class="expl">I'm not expecting you to drink a lot)</span></li> <li>你 <em>可</em> 别 走！ <span class="expl">I'm blocking your way, almost pleading with you, as I believe you are going to leave)</span></li> <li>话 <em>可</em> 不 能 这 样 说。 <span class="expl">What you said doesn't accord with my own beliefs)</span></li> </ul> </div> <p>In two of the sentences above, 可 is used with 别, and sounds a bit like "don't even think about..." 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><a href="Integrated_Chinese:_Level_2,_Part_1" title= "wikilink">Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1</a> (pp. 270-1) <a href= "http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276792/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276792"> →buy</a></li> <li><a href="Integrated_Chinese:_Level_2,_Part_2" title= "wikilink">Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2</a> (pp. 56) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276881/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0887276881"> →buy</a></li> </ul> <p><a href="Category:_B2_grammar_points" title="wikilink">Category: B2 grammar points</a> <a href="Category:_Adverbs" title= "wikilink">Category: Adverbs</a></p> </body> </html>