<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <!DOCTYPE html> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xmlns:epub="http://www.idpf.org/2007/ops"> <head> <title>Emphatic adverb "ke"</title> <link href="../Styles/main.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet"/> </head> <body> <h1>Emphatic adverb "ke"</h1> <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>Contents</h2> <div class="contents">1 可 used to intensify an adjective 1.1 Structure 1.2 Examples 2 可 used to emphasize a verb 2.1 Structure 2.2 Examples 3 See also 4 Sources and further reading 4.1 Books</div> <h2>可 used to intensify an adjective</h2> <h3>Structure</h3> <div class="deux">可 + Adj.</div> Examples In these examples, 可 is used a bit like 很, as it is used to intensify an adjective: 这 只 小 狗 可 淘气 了！The speaker never expected dogs to be this naughty These dogs are so naughty! 哇，这 个 糖醋 里脊 可 好吃 了！The speaker never dreamt that sweet and sour pork could taste this good Wow! This sweet and sour pork is delicious! 可 used to emphasize a verb Structure 可 + Verb Examples In these examples 可 is used a bit like 真, and used to emphasize a verb: 你 可 来 了! The speaker never expected it would take so long for you to get here) 你 可 别 喝 太 多 酒。 I'm not expecting you to drink a lot) 你 可 别 走！ I'm blocking your way, almost pleading with you, as I believe you are going to leave) 话 可 不 能 这 样 说。 What you said doesn't accord with my own beliefs) In two of the sentences above, 可 is used with 别, and sounds a bit like "don't even think about..." in English. See also Sources and further reading Books Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (pp. 270-1) →buy Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2 (pp. 56) →buy ] </body> </html>