可能 (kěnéng) — possible, maybe
HSK 2 | adjective / adverb | expressing possibility; works both as 'possible' (adjective) and 'maybe' (adverb)
可能 (kěnéng)
可能 expresses possibility. It works as an adverb meaning "maybe" (placed before a verb or adjective) or as an adjective meaning "possible" (used with 有/没有). Both uses are common.
Meanings
- [adverb] Maybe, possibly (modifying a verb or adjective: 可能来 "may come").
- [adjective] Possible (used with 有/没有: 有可能 "there is a possibility").
Example Sentences
他可能明天来。 Tā kěnéng míngtiān lái. He may come tomorrow.
这件事有可能发生。 Zhè jiàn shì yǒu kěnéng fāshēng. This thing may possibly happen.
你可能不知道这件事。 Nǐ kěnéng bù zhīdào zhè jiàn shì. You probably don't know about this.
没有可能，他不会同意的。 Méiyǒu kěnéng, tā bù huì tóngyì de. It's not possible; he won't agree.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 有可能 | there is a possibility |
| 没有可能 | impossible, no possibility |
| 可能性 | possibility (as a noun) |
| 尽可能 | as much as possible |
| 不可能 | impossible |
Memory Hook
可 (can/permitted) + 能 (able): when something "can be able" to happen, it is possible. Stack both words that mean "can" and you get "maybe."