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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing ability or possibility with 可 (kě)

    Permission & Ability

    Structure

    可 + Verb

    Explanation

    可 (kě) is a literary or formal way to express "can" or "able to." It functions similarly to 可以 but is more concise and often appears in written or formal Chinese. For example, 可达 means "can reach."

    Examples

    • 这个结果可从数据中直接得出。

      Zhège jiéguǒ kě cóng shùjù zhōng zhíjiē déchū.

      This result can be directly derived from the data.

    • 此方法可有效减少能源浪费。

      Cǐ fāngfǎ kě yǒuxiào jiǎnshǎo néngyuán làngfèi.

      This method can effectively reduce energy waste.

    • 该设备可同时处理多项任务。

      Gāi shèbèi kě tóngshí chǔlǐ duō xiàng rènwù.

      This device can handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

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