Translation and Meaning of: 可 - ka

The Japanese word 可[か] may seem simple at first glance, but it carries interesting meanings and uses worth exploring. If you are studying Japanese or are just curious about this particle, understanding its context and application can enrich your knowledge of the language. In this article, we will dive into the meaning, origin, and how this word is used in everyday Japanese, as well as provide practical tips for memorization and relevant examples.

Meaning and use of 可[か]

The character 可, read as "ka" in its most common forms, has a meaning that varies according to context. In many cases, it expresses possibility or permission, as in words like 可能 (kanou - possible) or 許可 (kyoka - permission). However, when used alone, it can appear in formal or technical contexts, such as in documents indicating approval.

It is worth noting that 可 can also be found in older or literary constructions, showing how the Japanese language retains traces of its historical development. However, its everyday use is more frequent in combinations with other kanjis, forming terms that express ability or consent.

Origin and writing of the kanji 可

The kanji 可 has a Chinese origin, like most characters used in Japanese. It is composed of the radical 口 (kuchi - mouth) and the component 丂, which used to represent a sound of breathing or speech. This combination suggests an idea of "that which can be said" or "what is acceptable," reinforcing its meaning related to permission and possibility.

In modern writing, 可 maintains a simple structure, but it's important to pay attention to the stroke order to avoid mistakes. Starting with the top horizontal stroke, followed by the vertical on the left and finishing with the curve on the right helps to memorize its shape correctly.

How to memorize and use 可[か] in daily life

A helpful tip for remembering the meaning of 可 is to associate it with words you already know, such as 可能 (possible) or 不可 (fuka - impossible). Creating flashcards with practical examples can also help, especially if you include sentences like "これは可能ですか?" (Is this possible?).

In addition, paying attention to where this word appears, such as in public notices or forms, can solidify your understanding. Often, 可 appears in situations that require a positive or negative response, such as in tests and evaluations, where it indicates "approved" in contrast to 不可 (unapproved).

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 可能 (Kanō) - Possible
• 許可 (Kyoka) - Permission
• 可能性 (Kanousei) - possibility
• 可行性 (Kぎgousei) - Feasibility
• 可能的 (Kanōteki) - Possible (adjective)
• 可能性がある (Kanousei ga aru) - There is a possibility
• 可能性が高い (Kanousei ga takai) - High possibility
• 可能性が低い (Kanousei ga hikui) - Low possibility
• 可能性があること (Kanousei ga aru koto) - The existence of possibility
• 可能性があると思われる (Kanousei ga aru to omowareru) - It is considered that there is a possibility
• 可能性があると考えられる (Kanousei ga aru to kangaeraru) - It was thought that there is a possibility
• 可能性があるとされる (Kanousei ga aru to sareru) - It is considered that there is a possibility
• 可能性があるとされている (Kanousei ga aru to sarete iru) - It has been considered that there is a possibility
• 可能性があるとされた (Kanousei ga aru to sareta) - It was considered that there is a possibility
• 可能性があるとされていること (Kanousei ga aru to sarete iru koto) - The fact that there is a possibility
• 可能性があるとされているところ (Kanousei ga aru to sarete iru tokoro) - The region where there is considered to be a possibility
• 可能性があるとされている場所 (Kanousei ga aru to sarete iru basho) - The place where it is considered that there is a possibility
• 可能性があるとされている時期 (Kanousei ga aru to sarete iru jiki) - The time when it is considered that there is a possibility
• 可能性があるとされている期間 (Kanousei ga aru to sarete iru kikan) - The period in which it is considered that there is a possibility

可

Romaji: ka
Kana: か
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: reasonable

Meaning in English: passable

Definition: The ability of a state or situation to change.

Example Sentences - (可) ka

See below some example sentences:

意識が高い人は成功する可能性が高いです。

Ishiki ga takai hito wa seikou suru kanousei ga takai desu

Highly conscious people will probably be successful.

• 意識が高い人 - Conscious people
• は - Topic particle
• 成功する - Success
• 可能性が高い - High probability
• です - Sentence-ending particle

放射能は環境に悪影響を与える可能性があります。

Hōshanō wa kankyō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu

Radioactivity can have an adverse effect on the environment.

• 放射能 - Radiation
• は - Topic marking particle
• 環境 - environment
• に - Destination marking particle
• 悪影響 - negative effect
• を - object marker particle
• 与える - cause
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject marking particle
• あります - exists

日本の経済が没落する可能性がある。

Nihon no keizai ga bottsuroku suru kanousei ga aru

The Japanese economy may fall.

• 日本 - Country name
• の - Possession particle
• 経済 - economy
• が - subject particle
• 没落する - decline, collapse
• 可能性 - possibility
• が - subject particle
• ある - verb "to exist"

無限の可能性がある。

Mugen no kanōsei ga aru

There is an infinite possibility.

• 無限 - means "infinite" in Japanese.
• の - It is a possessive particle in Japanese, equivalent to "de" in English.
• 可能性 - means "possibility" in Japanese.
• が - It is a subject particle in Japanese, equivalent to "is" in English.
• ある - means "to exist" in Japanese.
• . - period, indicating the end of the sentence.

短い髪の女性は可愛いです。

Mijikai kami no josei wa kawaii desu

Short -twirled women are cute.

• 短い (mijikai) - short
• 髪 (kami) - hair
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 女性 (josei) - woman
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 可愛い (kawaii) - pretty, cute
• です (desu) - verb to be, to stay

私は犬を可愛がる。

Watashi wa inu wo kawaigaru

I lovingly take care of my dog.

I love my dog.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle that indicates the main subject of the sentence.
• 犬 (inu) - Japanese noun that means "dog"
• を (wo) - Japanese object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 可愛がる (kawaigaru) - Japanese verb that means "to love", "to care" or "to pamper"

私の姪はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no mei wa totemo kawaii desu

My niece is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case, "mine"
• 姪 (mei) - noun that means "niece"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "niece"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective that means "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the formality of the sentence

私の妹はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no imouto wa totemo kawaii desu

My younger sister is very cute.

My sister is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 妹 (imouto) - It means "younger sister" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective that means "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - The verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate the formality of the sentence.

私の弟はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no otouto wa totemo kawaii desu

My younger brother is very cute.

My brother is very cute.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 弟 (otouto) - It means "younger brother" in Japanese.
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "my younger brother"
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い (kawaii) - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
• です (desu) - verb "to be" in Japanese, used to indicate a statement or formality

私の孫はとても可愛いです。

Watashi no mago wa totemo kawaii desu

My grandson is very cute.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "of"
• 孫 - noun that means "grandson"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "about"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 可愛い - adjective meaning "cute" or "pretty"
• です - verb that indicates the polite and courteous form of affirming, equivalent to "is"