Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use {可以|kěyǐ}吗 to ask for permission or check if a situation is acceptable to others.
- Means: Is it okay? / May I?
- Used in: Asking to sit, checking plans, or requesting a favor.
- Don't confuse: It is not used to ask about ability (use {能|néng}吗 for that).
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
Asking for permission or if something is acceptable.
Contexte culturel
It is very common to use this to show modesty and respect for others' space. The usage is identical, but the tone is often softer and more melodic. While Mandarin is used, Cantonese speakers often use '得唔得呀?' (Dak m-dak aa?) which serves the same function. In a multilingual environment, '可以吗' is often used alongside English 'Can or not?'
Tone matters
Use a rising intonation at the end to sound more polite and inquisitive.
Don't over-use
In very formal settings, try '请问...方便吗？' to show extra respect.
Tone matters
Use a rising intonation at the end to sound more polite and inquisitive.
Don't over-use
In very formal settings, try '请问...方便吗？' to show extra respect.
The 'A-not-A' trick
If you want to be very clear, use '可以不可以？' to ask 'Is it okay or not?'
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to ask for permission.
我______用你的手机吗？
{可以|kěyǐ} is the correct modal for asking permission.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct order:
The subject comes first, and the question particle {吗|ma} comes last.
Match the situation to the correct response.
Situation: You want to enter a room.
Entering a room requires asking to 'come in' ({进来|jìnlái}).
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices我______用你的手机吗？
{可以|kěyǐ} is the correct modal for asking permission.
Choose the correct order:
The subject comes first, and the question particle {吗|ma} comes last.
Situation: You want to enter a room.
Entering a room requires asking to 'come in' ({进来|jìnlái}).
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is very versatile, but remember it is for permission, not ability.
No, it is perfectly fine, but adding '请问' makes it more professional.
'行' is just a shorter, more casual way of saying 'okay'.
'可以吗' is about permission; '好吗' is about agreement.
Say '可以' (Yes) or '不可以' (No).
Yes, it is very common in WeChat and other messaging apps.
Yes, {可以|kěyǐ} must come after the subject.
No, use {会|huì} or {能|néng}.
It is neutral. It works in almost any situation.
Use '请问，我方便...吗？'
Expressions liées
行吗
synonymIs it okay?
好吗
similarIs it good?
可以不可以
builds onCan or cannot?
没问题
contrastNo problem.
Où l'utiliser
Borrowing a pen
You: 我{可以|kěyǐ}借用一下你的笔吗？
Friend: 当然可以。
Changing meeting time
You: 我们把{会议|huìyì}推迟到下午，{可以|kěyǐ}吗？
Boss: 没问题。
Entering a room
You: 我{可以|kěyǐ}进来吗？
Colleague: 请进。
Ordering food
You: 我{可以|kěyǐ}不要香菜吗？
Waiter: 可以的。
Asking for a photo
You: 我{可以|kěyǐ}和你{合影|héyǐng}吗？
Stranger: 好啊。
Opening a window
You: 这儿太热了，{可以|kěyǐ}开窗吗？
Friend: 可以，没问题。
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'K-Y' as 'Keep You' (safe/comfortable). Asking 'K-Y-ma?' is asking if you can keep the situation comfortable.
Association visuelle
Imagine a person holding a door open for someone else, asking with a smile, '可以吗?'
Rhyme
Ask for a favor, don't be a drama, just use the phrase: {可以|kěyǐ}吗?
Story
Xiao Ming wants to sit next to his friend. He approaches slowly. He smiles and says, '我{可以|kěyǐ}坐这儿吗？' His friend nods. Xiao Ming feels relieved.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'Is it okay?' in English or '¿Se puede?' in Spanish. It serves the same function of checking social boundaries.
Word Web
Défi
Use {可以|kěyǐ}吗 three times today in different contexts (e.g., asking for a pen, asking to change a channel, asking to meet).
Review in 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days.
Prononciation
The 'k' is aspirated, 'e' is like the 'u' in 'but'.
Neutral tone, very short.
Spectre de formalité
请问，我可以坐在这里吗？ (Public transport)
我可以坐这儿吗？ (Public transport)
我坐这儿行吗？ (Public transport)
这儿有人吗？ (Public transport)
The phrase combines the classical {可以|kěyǐ} (suitable) with the interrogative particle {吗|ma}. It represents the evolution of Chinese from a language of formal statements to one of interactive, polite discourse.
Le savais-tu ?
The character {吗|ma} is composed of {口|kǒu} (mouth) and {马|mǎ} (horse), but the horse part is just for sound!
Notes culturelles
It is very common to use this to show modesty and respect for others' space.
“我{可以|kěyǐ}坐这儿吗？”
The usage is identical, but the tone is often softer and more melodic.
“我{可以|kěyǐ}借一下吗？”
While Mandarin is used, Cantonese speakers often use '得唔得呀?' (Dak m-dak aa?) which serves the same function.
“得唔得呀？”
In a multilingual environment, '可以吗' is often used alongside English 'Can or not?'
“这个{可以|kěyǐ}吗？”
Amorces de conversation
Ask your partner if you can change the meeting time.
Ask a friend if you can borrow their book.
Ask a waiter if you can have water without ice.
Ask a colleague if you can share your screen.
Erreurs courantes
你会帮我吗？ (when asking for a favor)
你可以帮我吗？
L1 Interference
可以我坐这儿吗？
我可以坐这儿吗？
L1 Interference
可以吗我坐这儿？
我可以坐这儿吗？
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
¿Se puede?
Spanish uses the impersonal 'se', while Chinese uses the modal '可以'.
Est-ce que je peux...?
French requires a full sentence structure, whereas Chinese allows for more ellipsis.
Darf ich...?
German 'Darf ich' is more explicitly about permission than the broader Chinese '可以'.
いいですか？ (Ii desu ka?)
Japanese 'Ii desu ka' is slightly more focused on 'goodness/acceptability' than the Chinese 'suitability'.
هل يمكنني؟ (Hal yumkinuni?)
Arabic is more formal in its standard form compared to the conversational nature of '可以吗'.
行吗？ (Xíng ma?)
None, they are near-synonyms.
돼요? (Dwaeyo?)
Korean 'Dwaeyo' is very context-dependent on the verb preceding it.
Posso...?
Portuguese often drops the subject, while Chinese prefers keeping it for clarity.
Spotted in the Real World
“我{可以|kěyǐ}进去吗？”
Asking to enter a room.
Facile à confondre
Learners think it means 'can I'.
Use {会|huì} for learned skills (e.g., swimming, speaking Chinese).
Learners think it is the same as {可以|kěyǐ}吗.
{能|néng} implies physical ability or external possibility.
Questions fréquentes (10)
It is very versatile, but remember it is for permission, not ability.
usage contextsNo, it is perfectly fine, but adding '请问' makes it more professional.
cultural usage'行' is just a shorter, more casual way of saying 'okay'.
comparisons'可以吗' is about permission; '好吗' is about agreement.
comparisonsSay '可以' (Yes) or '不可以' (No).
basic understandingYes, it is very common in WeChat and other messaging apps.
usage contextsYes, {可以|kěyǐ} must come after the subject.
grammar mechanicsNo, use {会|huì} or {能|néng}.
common mistakesIt is neutral. It works in almost any situation.
usage contextsUse '请问，我方便...吗？'
practical tips
