<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 &quot;don't even think about...&quot; 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&amp;tag=allset-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=217145&amp;creative=399369&amp;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&amp;tag=allset-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=0887276881">→buy</a></li>
</ul>
<p>    </p>
<p><a href="Category:_B2_grammar_points" title="wikilink">Category: B2 grammar points</a> <a href="Category:_Adverbs" title="wikilink">Category: Adverbs</a></p>