Readings: カ, コク (Onyomi), べ-き, -べ-し (Kunyomi)
Meaning: possible, passable, acceptable, can, may
The kanji 可 is an ideogram. It depicts a mouth (口) with something being emitted, symbolizing speech or permission. Over time, it came to mean “possible” or “acceptable,” indicating that something can be said or allowed.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 可 is drawn in 5 strokes. Begin with the short vertical stroke at the top left. Second, draw the horizontal stroke that crosses it. Third, draw the left vertical stroke of the 口 radical. Fourth, draw the combined top horizontal and right vertical stroke of the 口 radical. Finally, draw the bottom horizontal stroke to close the 口 radical.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 口 (くち) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 5 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | 5 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- カ (ka)
- コク (koku)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- べし (beshi)
- べき (beki)
Common Words Using 可
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 可能 | かのう | possible, practicable |
| 許可 | きょか | permission, approval |
| 可決 | かけつ | approval, adoption (of a bill) |
| 可否 | かひ | right or wrong, pros and cons |
| 不可 | ふか | impossible, improper, unacceptable |
| 認可 | にんか | authorization, approval |
| 可塑性 | かそせい | plasticity, malleability |
| 可燃性 | かねんせい | flammability |
| 可逆 | かぎゃく | reversible |
| 可視光線 | かしこうせん | visible light |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 〜べき | 〜べき | should, ought to, must |
| 〜べし | 〜べし | should, ought to, must (classical, literary) |
| なるべく | なるべく | as much as possible, as… as one can |
| なすべきこと | なすべきこと | things that ought to be done |
| あるべき姿 | あるべきすがた | ideal form, how it should be |
| 見るべきもの | みるべきもの | things worth seeing |
| 信じるべきだ | しんじるべきだ | ought to believe |
| 読むべき本 | よむべきほん | books one should read |
| 言うべきではない | いうべきではない | should not say |
| 考えるべき問題 | かんがえるべきもんだい | a problem that should be considered |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この計画は実現可能です。
Kana: このけいかくはじつげんかのうです。
Romaji: Kono keikaku wa jitsugen kanō desu.
English: This plan is feasible.
Japanese: 入国にはビザの許可が必要です。
Kana: にゅうこくにはビザのきょかがひつようです。
Romaji: Nyūkoku ni wa biza no kyoka ga hitsuyō desu.
English: A visa is required for entry.
Japanese: 法案は国会で可決されました。
Kana: ほうあんはこっかいでかけつされました。
Romaji: Hōan wa kokkai de kaketsu saremashita.
English: The bill was approved in the Diet.
Japanese: その提案の可否を検討しましょう。
Kana: そのていあんのかひをけんとうしましょう。
Romaji: Sono teian no kahi o kentō shimashō.
English: Let’s consider the pros and cons of that proposal.
Japanese: 不正行為は一切不可です。
Kana: ふせいこういはいっさいふかです。
Romaji: Fusei kōi wa issai fuka desu.
English: Dishonest acts are strictly forbidden.
Japanese: なるべく早くご連絡ください。
Kana: なるべくはやくごれんらくください。
Romaji: Narubeku hayaku go-renraku kudasai.
English: Please contact us as soon as possible.
Japanese: 学生は学ぶべきことに集中すべきだ。
Kana: がくせいはまなぶべきことにしゅうちゅうすべきだ。
Romaji: Gakusei wa manabu beki koto ni shūchū subeki da.
English: Students should focus on what they ought to learn.
Japanese: これは私たちの考えるべき問題だ。
Kana: これわたしたちのかんがえるべきもんだい。
Romaji: Kore wa watashitachi no kangaeru beki mondai da.
English: This is a problem we should consider.
Japanese: 彼が言うべきことは何もない。
Kana: かれがいうべきことはなにもない。
Romaji: Kare ga iu beki koto wa nani mo nai.
English: There is nothing he should say.
Japanese: ここが日本で見るべき場所の一つです。
Kana: ここがにほんでみるべきばしょのひとるです。
Romaji: Koko ga Nihon de miru beki basho no hitotsu desu.
English: This is one of the places you should see in Japan.
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