不可以 / 可以
Reach for 可以 / 不可以 when you're talking about permission — whether something is allowed, not whether someone is capable of doing it. 可以 means 'may / can (it's allowed),' and 不可以 means 'no, you can't / not allowed.' It's the polite, neutral way to grant or deny permission in conversation, in rules, on signs, and in parenting. Don't use it to mean 'I have the skill to do this' — that's 会.
Structure
[SUBJECT] (不) 可以 [VERB PHRASE]
(bù) kěyǐ [VERB PHRASE]
How to Think About It
可以 is about an external green light, not internal ability. The question it answers is 'will the rules / the parent / the teacher / the policy let you do this?' If you can picture a sign, a parent, or a boss as the source of approval, 可以 is the right word. If you're describing a skill you learned, you want 会; if you're describing physical possibility, you want 能.
Examples
这里不可以拍照。
Zhèlǐ bù kěyǐ pāizhào.
You can't take photos here.
妈妈，我可以吃糖吗？
Māma, wǒ kěyǐ chī táng ma?
Mom, can I have some candy?
你可以用我的电脑。
Nǐ kěyǐ yòng wǒ de diànnǎo.
You can use my computer.
Common Mistake
Learners use 可以 when they mean 'I know how to' — but 可以 doesn't describe ability, only permission. The right word for skill is 会.
我可以说中文。
我会说中文。
Don't Confuse With
会 + Verb
Use 会 when you mean 'I have learned how to' (a skill). 可以 is about whether you're allowed.
能 + Verb
Use 能 when you mean 'I'm physically / circumstantially able to right now.' 可以 is about permission from rules or people.
不能
不能 leans toward 'unable / impossible,' while 不可以 leans toward 'not allowed.' On signs, 不可以 is more common for rules.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 这里 ___ 可以拍照。 (you can't take photos here)
Show answer
不
Fill in the blank: 你 ___ 用我的电脑。 (you may use my computer)
Show answer
可以
Arrange: 拍照 / 这里 / 可以 / 不 / 。
Show answer
这里不可以拍照。
Translate to Chinese: Mom, can I have some candy?
Show answer
妈妈，我可以吃糖吗？
Write a sentence using 不可以 about something forbidden at your school or office.
Show answer
公司里不可以喝酒。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: