{{Grammar Box}} 

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. 

可 is generally used by Northern speakers and is informal, generally only used in spoken Chinese.

==可 used to intensify an adjective==

===Structure===

<div class="jiegou">

可 + Adj.

</div>

===Examples===

In these examples, 可 is used a bit like 很, as it is used to intensify an adjective:

<div class="liju">

* 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> 
* 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> 

</div>

==可 used to emphasize a verb==

===Structure===

<div class= "jiegou">

可 + Verb

</div>

===Examples===

In these examples 可 is used a bit like 真, and used to emphasize a verb:

<div class="liju">

* 你 <em>可</em> 来 了! <span class="expl">The speaker never expected it would take so long for you to get here)</span>
* 你 <em>可</em> 别 喝 太 多 酒。 <span class="expl">I'm not expecting you to drink a lot)</span>
* 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>
* 话 <em>可</em> 不 能 这 样 说。 <span class="expl">What you said doesn't accord with my own beliefs)</span>

</div>

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) [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]
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2]] (pp. 56) [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]

[[Category: B2 grammar points]]
[[Category: Adverbs]]
{{Basic Grammar|可|B2|可 + Adj. (+ 了)|这 件 事情 对 他 造成 的 影响 <em>可</em> 大 了 。|grammar point|ASGSPAKW}}
{{POS|Adverbs}}
{{Translation|very}}
{{Used for| Expressing quality}}
{{Used for|Emphasizing}}