可以吗？
kěyǐ ma?
The English phrase "may I?" is translated into Chinese as 可以吗？ (kěyǐ ma?)
可以吗？ is a polite way to ask for permission to do something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 可以 (kěyǐ), meaning "can" or "may" and 吗 (ma), a particle used to turn a statement into a yes/no question.
Which one should you use?
While 可以吗？ focuses on whether one has the permission or ability to do something, 行吗？ (xíng ma?) is more focused on whether the proposed action is acceptable or agreeable to the listener.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this phrase to ask for permission to do a specific action, you place the verb or action immediately before 可以吗？
How do you pronounce it?
kěyǐ ma?
When do people say it?
A standard positive response to the question 可以吗？ is 可以 (kěyǐ), meaning "You may" or "It is okay." A standard negative response is 不可以 (bù kěyǐ), meaning "You may not" or "It is not okay."
Did you know?
- In modern slang, 可以 (kěyǐ) is often used as an exclamation like 'Not bad!' or 'Impressive!' to describe a skill, completely unrelated to asking permission.
- Depending on the tone of voice, 可以 (kěyǐ) can be used sarcastically to mean 'Sure, keep dreaming' when someone asks for something impossible.
- While 可以吗？ is a question, simply saying 可以 (kěyǐ) with a rising intonation can turn the statement into a question without needing the particle 吗 (ma).
Examples in context
- 请问，我可以用一下你的手机吗？(Qǐng wèn, wǒ kěyǐ yòng yīxià nǐ de shǒujī ma?)Excuse me, may I use your phone, please?
- 可否借用你的笔一下？(Kě fǒu jièyòng nǐ de bǐ yīxià?)May I borrow your pen, please?
- 我能开个玩笑吗？(Wǒ néng kāi ge wánxiào ma?)Can I crack a joke?
- 我可以试试吗？(Wǒ kěyǐ shì shì ma?)May I give it a try?
- 在这里坐一下可以吗？Zài zhèlǐ zuò yīxià kěyǐ ma?May I sit here for a moment?
- 我问一个问题可以吗？Wǒ wèn yīgè wèntí kěyǐ ma?May I ask a question?
- 现在借用一下你的笔可以吗？Xiànzài jièyòng yīxià nǐ de bǐ kěyǐ ma?May I borrow your pen for a moment?
Example conversation
Zihan wants to open a window in the room.
- 梓涵 Zihan我想打开窗户，可以吗？Wǒ xiǎng dǎkāi chuānghu, kěyǐ ma？May I open the window?
- 俊杰 Junjie没问题，请便。Méi wèntí, qǐngbiàn.No problem, go ahead.
- 梓涵 Zihan谢谢你，俊杰。Xièxiè nǐ, Jùnjié.Thank you, Junjie.
- 俊杰 Junjie不客气，梓涵。Bù kèqì, Zǐhán.You're welcome, Zihan.
