HSK 2
可能
kěnéng
probably
Structure
Subject + 可能 + Verb / Adjective
How it works
The word '可能' (kěnéng) is used as an adverb to indicate possibility or probability, similar to 'maybe' or 'probably' in English. It is typically placed before the verb or the subject to suggest that an action or situation is likely to happen.
Examples
明天可能下雨。
Míngtiān kěnéng xiàyǔ.
It might rain tomorrow.
他可能不认识我。
Tā kěnéng bù rènshí wǒ.
He probably doesn't know me.
老师现在可能在办公室。
Lǎoshī xiànzài kěnéng zài bàngōngshì.
The teacher might be in the office right now.
Common mistakes
Placement error: Learners often put '可能' after the verb. In Chinese, it must come before the verb it modifies.
Tip
To turn '可能' into a question, you can say '有可能吗？' (Is it possible?) or use '会不会' for future possibilities.
More HSK 2 grammar
See 可能 in real Chinese
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