可
approve; allow; worthy; about; but; emphasize
Meanings
12 senses · 54 examplesverb
to approve; to agree; to consent
Used for agreeing to a request or acknowledging something as valid.
The teacher approved our application to stay on campus over the weekend.
We all recognize his work ability.
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This proposal cannot be passed directly without approval or rejection.
The parents allowed their child to play games for two hours over the weekend.
The judges approved of the new performer's show.
auxiliary verb
to be allowed; to be possible
Used to indicate permission or feasibility, equivalent to 'can' or 'may' in English. Often paired with verbs or adjectives.
This room can fit two people.
From this, it can be seen that he already knew the truth.
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This piece of wood is unbreakable.
This part can be big or small, adjustable according to needs.
Elm wood can be used to make furniture.
auxiliary verb
to be worthy of; deserving of
Note: Phrases like 可爱, 可靠 have passive passive meaning and function as adjectives, while 可怜 can function as both verb (I pity her) and adjective (this person is pitiable).
This little girl is very cute.
He made a valuable sacrifice to protect national property.
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This Peking Opera performance is very worth watching.
His reliable quality won everyone's trust.
This old story has connotations that are worth savoring.
adverb
about; approximately
literaryFormal, literary usage used to indicate an approximate number or age.
This elderly man is about 80 years old, but in good health.
This ancient tree is about seven chi tall, requiring several people to hug around it.
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The budget for this project is approximately five million RMB.
He ran away from home and has been gone for about three months now.
This manuscript is about one million words long.
preposition
to fill to the brim; to use all of
dialectColloquial regional usage, used to indicate using the maximum amount or full range of something.
You can eat as much as you want at this restaurant's buffet, don't worry about running out.
The child was rolling around on the ground in pain, so the parents rushed him to the hospital.
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You can cut the fabric to this exact size.
Everyone uses the existing materials to build the model.
We will arrange the schedule according to everyone's available time.
verb
to recover (from illness)
archaicArchaic, only used in early vernacular Chinese texts.
The doctor said his illness would recover in three days.
The child recovered soon after taking the medicine.
noun
a surname
Used as a family name.
Mr. Ke is the Chinese teacher at our school.
I have a classmate with the surname Ke, whose given name is Kejia.
conjunction
but; however; yet
Used to connect clauses with contrasting or opposing meanings, equivalent to 'but' in English.
It's already the start of spring, but the weather is still very cold.
He worked very hard, but his grades still didn't improve.
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I want to buy a new phone, but I don't have enough money.
This movie is very interesting, but it's over three hours long.
She loves to travel, but she doesn't have much vacation time.
adverb
to emphasize; indeed; really
informalUsed to strengthen the emotional tone of a statement, often to express high degree or surprise.
She is so kind to everyone, everyone likes her.
The wind last night was really strong, it knocked down the trees by the road.
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Remember this, don't forget tomorrow's exam.
Everyone was very motivated and finished the task ahead of schedule.
You finally arrived! I've been waiting so long!
adverb
to strengthen rhetorical questions
Added to rhetorical questions to make the tone more forceful, equivalent to 'how could' or 'really' in English.
How could I possibly know about this matter?
Everyone says that, but who has actually seen it?
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You believe this lie? You're really too foolish!
I certainly wouldn't dare do such a dangerous thing.
You think I'd believe that? Stop joking around!
adverb
to strengthen interrogative tone
Used in yes-no questions to make the inquiry more polite or formal, equivalent to 'whether' or 'do you' in English.
Is he willing to do this matter?
Have you ever talked to him about this issue?
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Do you know what day it is today?
Does he remember the time we agreed on last time?
Have you heard of this famous artist?
verb
to suit; to fit; to be satisfactory
Used to describe something matching one's preferences or needs.
This piece of clothing fits people's tastes very well.
This time it finally satisfied his wishes.
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This plan meets the needs of our team.
The food at this restaurant suits my taste perfectly.
This job suited his wishes perfectly, so he agreed immediately.