kěnéng: 可能 - Possible, Maybe, Might

• Keywords: kěnéng, 可能, keneng pinyin, keneng meaning, Chinese for maybe, Chinese for possible, how to say might in Chinese, Chinese grammar possibility, kěnéng vs huì, kěnéng vs kěyǐ.
• Summary: Learn how to use 可能 (kěnéng), the essential Chinese word for 'possible,' 'maybe,' or 'might.' This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, grammar, cultural nuances, and provides clear examples to help you express possibility and uncertainty like a native speaker. Discover the key differences between 可能 (kěnéng), 会 (huì), and 可以 (kěyǐ) to avoid common mistakes and master Chinese modal verbs.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kěnéng
• Part of Speech: Modal Verb, Adjective, Noun
• HSK Level: 3
• Concise Definition: Expresses the objective possibility or likelihood of something happening.
• In a Nutshell: 可能 (kěnéng) is your go-to word for talking about things that 'might' or 'could' happen. Think of it as the direct equivalent of the English words 'possible' or 'maybe.' It's used to express uncertainty, make a guess about a situation, or gently suggest something. Whether you're talking about the weather, future plans, or just speculating, 可能 is an indispensable tool for sounding natural and polite.

• 可 (kě): This character means “can,” “able to,” or “may.” It often implies approval or potential. Pictorially, it's a combination of a mouth (口) and a structural element, suggesting something that can be articulated or approved.
• 能 (néng): This character means “can,” “to be able to,” or “capable.” It emphasizes inherent ability, power, or skill. Its ancient form is said to be a depiction of a bear (熊), an animal known for its strength and power.
• Together (可能): The combination of 可 (potential/approval) and 能 (inherent ability) creates a powerful concept: “that which has the potential and ability to be.” This fusion perfectly captures the essence of “possibility.”

In many Western cultures, especially in a business context, directness and certainty are often prized. Saying “I might be able to finish it by Friday” can sometimes be interpreted as non-committal or even flaky. In Chinese culture, however, using 可能 (kěnéng) is often a sign of politeness, humility, and pragmatism. Stating something with absolute certainty (“I will finish this by Friday”) can be seen as arrogant or foolish, as it doesn't account for unforeseen circumstances. Using 可能 leaves room for flexibility and avoids the potential loss of face (面子, miànzi) that would occur if you made a strong promise and failed to keep it. For a learner, this means you shouldn't be afraid to use 可能. It doesn't make you sound weak; it makes you sound more culturally aware and polite. It acknowledges that the world is complex and not everything is within one's absolute control.

可能 is incredibly versatile and is used constantly in daily life. Here are its main functions:

• Expressing Possibility (Modal Verb): This is its most common use. The structure is: Subject + 可能 + Verb/Adjective Phrase.
  • Tā kěnéng zài jiā. (他可能在家。) - He might be at home.
• As a Standalone “Maybe”: Used as a response to a question, just like in English.
  • A: Nǐ jīntiān huì lái ma? (你今天会来吗？) - Will you come today?
  • B: Kěnéng. (可能。) - Maybe.
• As an Adjective (“Possible”): It can describe a noun, often in more formal or written contexts.
  • Zhè shì wéiyī kěnéng de jiěshì. (这是唯一可能的解释。) - This is the only possible explanation.
• As a Noun (with 性): By adding the suffix 性 (xìng), it becomes the noun “possibility” or “likelihood.”
  • Chénggōng de kěnéngxìng hěn dà. (成功的可能性很大。) - The possibility of success is very high.

• Example 1:
  • 明天可能会下雨。
  • Pinyin: Míngtiān kěnéng huì xià yǔ.
  • English: It might rain tomorrow.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of speculating about the future. Here, 可能 softens the prediction. Using only 会 (huì) would imply a stronger certainty, like you've just seen a very reliable weather forecast.
• Example 2:
  • 他今天可能不来了，因为他有点不舒服。
  • Pinyin: Tā jīntiān kěnéng bù lái le, yīnwèi tā yǒudiǎn bù shūfu.
  • English: He might not come today because he's feeling a bit unwell.
  • Analysis: Here, 可能 is used to make a logical guess based on the evidence (“he's feeling unwell”). It's a textbook use for expressing a likely reason.
• Example 3:
  • A: 他去哪儿了？(Tā qù nǎr le?) - Where did he go?
  • B: 可能去图书馆了。(Kěnéng qù túshūguǎn le.) - Maybe he went to the library.
  • Analysis: A very common conversational pattern where the subject is omitted in the response. It's a quick, natural way to offer a guess.
• Example 4:
  • 这件衣服可能有点贵。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu kěnéng yǒudiǎn guì.
  • English: This piece of clothing might be a little expensive.
  • Analysis: This is a great example of using 可能 to soften an opinion or make a polite suggestion. Instead of saying “That's too expensive,” this phrase gently introduces the idea, which is less confrontational when shopping with a friend.
• Example 5:
  • 你可能不知道，他已经是公司的经理了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěnéng bù zhīdào, tā yǐjīng shì gōngsī de jīnglǐ le.
  • English: You might not know this, but he's already the company's manager.
  • Analysis: Using “你可能不知道” (you might not know) is a very polite way to introduce new information without making the other person feel ignorant. It's much softer than saying “You don't know…”
• Example 6:
  • 我们必须考虑所有可能的后果。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū kǎolǜ suǒyǒu kěnéng de hòuguǒ.
  • English: We must consider all possible consequences.
  • Analysis: Here, 可能 is used as an adjective modifying “consequences” (后果). The 的 (de) is required. This usage is common in more formal, written, or business contexts.
• Example 7:
  • 任何事情都是可能的。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé shìqing dōu shì kěnéng de.
  • English: Anything is possible.
  • Analysis: A motivational phrase where 可能 functions as a predicate adjective. The structure “是…的” (shì…de) is used for emphasis here.
• Example 8:
  • 这怎么可能呢？我昨天才见过他！
  • Pinyin: Zhè zěnme kěnéng ne? Wǒ zuótiān cái jiànguò tā!
  • English: How is that possible? I just saw him yesterday!
  • Analysis: Used in a rhetorical question to express shock or disbelief. “怎么可能” (zěnme kěnéng) is a very common fixed phrase.
• Example 9:
  • 对不起，你的要求我们可能办不到。
  • Pinyin: Duìbùqǐ, nǐ de yāoqiú wǒmen kěnéng bàn bu dào.
  • English: I'm sorry, we might not be able to fulfill your request.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of using 可能 to soften a refusal. Instead of a direct “We can't do it” (我们办不到), adding 可能 makes the rejection less harsh and more polite.
• Example 10:
  • 成功的可能性虽然小，但我们还是要试一试。
  • Pinyin: Chénggōng de kěnéngxìng suīrán xiǎo, dàn wǒmen háishì yào shì yī shì.
  • English: Although the possibility of success is small, we still have to give it a try.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the noun form, 可能性 (kěnéngxìng). This is useful for talking about “possibility” as an abstract concept.

The biggest challenge for learners is distinguishing 可能 from other words that express futurity, ability, or permission.

• 可能 (kěnéng) vs. 会 (huì):
  • 可能 expresses objective possibility. It's a logical guess based on external factors. It answers “Is it possible?”
    • 天阴了，可能会下雨。 (Tiān yīn le, kěnéng huì xià yǔ.) - The sky is overcast, it's possible it will rain. (The evidence is the clouds).
  • 会 expresses a prediction or subjective certainty. It implies intention or a high likelihood based on a pattern or known fact. It answers “Will it happen?”
    • 天气预报说今天会下雨。 (Tiānqì yùbào shuō jīntiān huì xià yǔ.) - The weather forecast says it will rain today. (You are confident in the forecast).
  • Mistake: Saying “我今天会去看电影” (I will go to the movies today) when you are still unsure. If you're not 100% certain, “我今天可能去看电影” is the better, more accurate choice.
• 可能 (kěnéng) vs. 可以 (kěyǐ):
  • 可能 is about possibility.
  • 可以 is about permission or capability in a given situation.
  • Mistake: At a museum, asking “可能拍照吗?” (Kěnéng pāizhào ma?). This literally means “Is it possible to take a photo?” as in, does my camera function? What you want to ask is “可以拍照吗?” (Kěyǐ pāizhào ma?) which means “Am I allowed to take a photo?” or “Is it okay to take a photo here?”.

• `不可能 (bù kěnéng)` - Impossible. The direct antonym of 可能.
• `也许 (yěxǔ)` - Maybe, perhaps. A close synonym, often considered slightly more literary or formal than 可能.
• `大概 (dàgài)` - Probably, approximately. Implies a higher probability than 可能. It's like the difference between “maybe” (50% chance) and “probably” (70-80% chance).
• `会 (huì)` - Will, be likely to. Used for predictions with a higher degree of certainty than 可能.
• `可以 (kěyǐ)` - Can, may. Primarily used for asking or giving permission.
• `能够 (nénggòu)` - To be able to, capable of. A more formal way to express ability, similar to 能 but often used to emphasize overcoming some difficulty to achieve something.
• `可能性 (kěnéngxìng)` - Possibility, likelihood. The explicit noun form, used when discussing “the possibility of” something.
• `或许 (huòxǔ)` - Perhaps, maybe. Another synonym, similar to 也许, often used in writing.