可以 (kěyǐ) — can, may (permission or possibility)

可以 (kěyǐ)

可以 expresses permission ("you may") or general possibility ("it is okay to"). Key contrast: 能 (néng) expresses physical ability or learned skill ("I can swim"), while 可以 expresses whether something is allowed or feasible ("you can leave now").

Meanings

1. [modal verb] May, can (permission: you are allowed to).
2. [modal verb] Can, be able to (possibility: it is feasible).

Example Sentences

你可以在这里停车。 Nǐ kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ tíng chē. You may park here.

这里可以拍照吗？ Zhèlǐ kěyǐ pāizhào ma? Is it okay to take photos here?

我现在可以走了吗？ Wǒ xiànzài kěyǐ zǒu le ma? May I leave now?

这个问题可以用两种方法解决。 Zhège wèntí kěyǐ yòng liǎng zhǒng fāngfǎ jiějué. This problem can be solved in two ways.

Collocations

Memory Hook

可 (permitted) + 以 (by means of): something is 可以 when it is permitted by the situation. Permission first, ability second. For pure ability, reach for 能.