Grammar Point:
The emphatic adverb 可 kě is used in Chinese to add emphasis to a statement, often conveying a stronger attitude or emotion such as surprise, disagreement, or certainty. It is a casual way to stress a point or to express “indeed.”
Structure
可 kě + V or Adj
可 kě is an informal emphatic adverb commonly used in spoken Chinese, especially in Northern Mandarin. For written or formal contexts, it’s better to use alternatives like 确实 quèshí or 的确 díquè to convey emphasis.
這可真有意思!这可真有意思!
This is actually quite interesting!
(It shows surprise that it is more interesting than I expected.)
你可來了!你可来了!
You’re finally here!
(It shows surprise that it took you so long to get here.)
他可真行!他可真行!
He’s really something! / He’s actually quite capable!
(It shows surprise that he’s better than expected.)
這個人我可不認識!这个人我可不认识!
I definitely don’t know this person!
(it carries a tone of mild surprise or strong assurance.)
這件事我可沒聽說過!这件事我可没听说过!
I definitely haven’t heard about this matter!
(It conveys that the speaker is not only unfamiliar with the matter but is also emphasizing the fact with an emotional tone of disbelief or surprise.)
這麼簡單的問題,你居然不會?你可得多學習!这么简单的问题,你居然不会?你可得多学习!
You can’t solve such an easy problem? You really need to study more!
教中文可真不容易!教中文可真不容易!
Teaching Chinese is no easy task!
他可是專業的廚師!他可是专业的厨师!
He’s truly a professional chef!
這件事可大了,千萬不能出錯!这件事可大了,千万不能出错!
This is a big deal—don’t make any mistakes!
- “Indeed” in Chinese 1 – (HSK 3) quèshí
- “Indeed” in Chinese 2 – 的确 díquè (HSK 4)
- “Indeed” in Chinese 3 – 倒是 dàoshì (HSK 5)