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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing possibility with 可能 (kěnéng)

    Condition
    Degree & Intensity

    Structure

    Subject + 可能 + Verb/Adjective

    Explanation

    可能 (kěnéng) means "possibly," "maybe," or "might" and is used to express that something has a chance of happening or being true. It can function as an adverb before a verb, as in 他可能来 (He might come), or as an adjective/noun meaning "possible/possibility." It is slightly more neutral and versatile than 也许.

    Examples

    • 明天可能会下雨，带把伞吧。

      Míngtiān kěnéng huì xià yǔ, dài bǎ sǎn ba.

      It might rain tomorrow — bring an umbrella.

    • 他今天没来上班，可能生病了。

      Tā jīntiān méi lái shàngbān, kěnéng shēngbìng le.

      He didn't come to work today; he might be sick.

    • 这件事有成功的可能，我们试试看。

      Zhè jiàn shì yǒu chénggōng de kěnéng, wǒmen shìshi kàn.

      There's a chance this will succeed; let's give it a try.

    Similar Grammar

    Expressing possibility with 可能 (kěnéng) | Chinese Grammar