可以 + Verb
Reach for 可以 when you want to say someone 'can' do something — either because they're physically able to, or because they have permission. It's the everyday workhorse for both meanings, and it's one of the very first verbs HSK 1 learners use to make polite requests, give options, or describe what's possible. Drop 可以 in front of any verb and you've got a complete, natural sentence.
Structure
[SUBJECT] 可以 [VERB] [OBJECT]
kěyǐ [VERB]
How to Think About It
可以 sits between 'can' (ability) and 'may' (permission) — Chinese doesn't bother to split them. So '我可以游泳' covers both 'I'm able to swim' and 'I'm allowed to swim'; context decides which. When in doubt, 可以 is the safest 'can': 会 implies a learned skill, 能 implies physical possibility right now, but 可以 just opens the door.
Examples
你可以坐这里。
Nǐ kěyǐ zuò zhèlǐ.
You can sit here.
我可以喝一杯水吗?
Wǒ kěyǐ hē yì bēi shuǐ ma?
Can I have a glass of water?
周末我们可以去公园。
Zhōumò wǒmen kěyǐ qù gōngyuán.
On the weekend we can go to the park.
Common Mistake
Beginners often insert 是 between the subject and 可以, treating it like the English 'is able to.' 可以 is already a verb-like auxiliary — it doesn't need 是 in front of it. The whole structure stays bare.
我是可以帮你。
我可以帮你。
Don't Confuse With
会 + Verb
会 is for learned skills — swimming, driving, speaking a language. If the 'can' you mean is 'I know how to,' use 会, not 可以.
能 + Verb
能 leans on physical capability or specific circumstances ('I can lift this,' 'I can come tomorrow'). 可以 leans on permission and general possibility. In requests, both work; in 'I'm strong enough,' only 能 fits.
不可以 + Verb
The negation flips meaning to a firm 'not allowed.' Don't mix it with 不能 (cannot, often physical) — '不可以抽烟' is 'no smoking allowed,' '不能抽烟' is closer to 'can't smoke (right now).'
Practice
我 ___ 帮你拿包。 (fill in 'can')
Show answer
可以
你 ___ 用我的电脑。 (fill in 'can')
Show answer
可以
Put in order: [可以 / 你 / 这本书 / 看]
Show answer
你可以看这本书。
Translate to Chinese: 'Can I ask a question?'
Show answer
我可以问一个问题吗?
Write one sentence asking permission for something using 可以.
Show answer
Example answer: 我可以在这里拍照吗? (Can I take photos here?)
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: