Usage patterns 〈 事こと 〉 可か suffixed to a noun to show that the action or use in question is allowed
Photography is allowed in this park.
〈 事こと 〉 に 可か を 出だ す to give approval for something
The new proposal was approved at the meeting.
可か を 得え る to obtain approval or permission
I got approval from my boss for the business trip.
Expressions· 18 尚なお 可か preferred; desirable 可か とする approve; be in favor of 奇貨可居きかおくべし seize every golden opportunity; strike while the iron is hot; buy a rare item cheaply to sell later at a high profit Show 3 more Show fewer 後こう 生せい 可か 畏い the young should be regarded with respect すべからず must not do; should not do; do not do 可か 能のう にする enable; make possible; allow; permit See all 18 in Explore →
Opposites 可 marks something as acceptable or permitted, while 不可 marks it as unacceptable, forbidden, or a failing grade.
可 is a vote or answer of approval ('aye'), while 否 is the opposing vote or answer of disapproval ('nay').
Don't confuse with 可 is the lowest passing grade, well below 優 on the same grading scale.
可 is the lowest passing grade below 良 on the same 優・良・可 scale, and learners often confuse its position relative to 良 .
Word family· 91 possible; feasible
considerably; fairly; quite; rather; pretty
permission; approval; authorization
wrong; bad; improper; inadvisable · not allowed; not possible · failing grade
approval; authorization; license; permission
Show 25 more Show fewer mobile; moveable
approval; adoption; passage
visibility; visible
inevitable; unavoidable; inescapable
delicately lovely; sweet; cute · pitiful; pitiable
variable; changeable; adjustable
propriety; rightness; advisability · pros and cons; ayes and noes
flammable; combustible; burnable
plastic; moldable
reversible · invertible
approval and authorization; permits and licences
inviolability; nonaggression; sacredness
audible
doting; showing affection · harsh training; tormenting (ironic)
be affectionate to; dote on; cherish · show favoritism to; be partial to · pet; caress; fondle affectionately · be tough on; rough up; train harshly; torment
as ... as possible
countable (noun) · countable (set); enumerable; denumerable
sanction; approval
cute; adorable; charming · dear; precious; darling · innocent; childlike; lovable · dainty; little; tiny
combustible waste; burnable rubbish
permission; approval; assent
half-baked; insufficient; half ripe
dharma transmission; confirmation of awakening · certificate of proficiency; license
divisible; separable
cute; adorable; charming; lovely; pretty
See all 91 in Explore →
Etymology From Middle Chinese 可 (khaX). The kanji 可 originally depicted a mouth and a breath, suggesting permission or possibility. In Japanese, it retains the core meaning of 'permissible' or 'acceptable'.
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