(没)有可能 (méi) yǒu kěnéng (im)possible, (im-) possibly ■“这件事有解决的可能吗？”“有可
能。”“Zhè jiàn shì yǒu jiějué de kěnéng ma?” “Yǒu kěnéng.” “Is it possible to solve this
matter?” “Yes.”
kěkǒukělè 可口可乐 N Coca-Cola (瓶 píng) 百事可乐 bǎishìkělè Pepsi[-Cola]
NOTE: 可口可乐 kěkǒukělè is a transliteration of “Coca-Cola.” It can be shortened into 可乐 kělè.kěpà 可怕 ADJ fearsome, frightening ■ 这种病很 可怕，还没有药治。Zhè zhǒng bìng hěn kěpà, hái
méiyǒu yào zhì. This disease is frightening, as there is still no medicine for it.
kěshì 可是 CONJ same as 但是 dànshì.
kěwù 可恶 ADJ detestable, hateful
kěxī 可惜 ADJ be a pity, be a shame ■ 真可 惜！Zhēn kěxī ! What a shame!
kěxiào 可笑 ADJ laughable, ridiculous
kěxíng 可行 ADJ can be done, feasible 可行性 kěxíngxìng feasibility / 可行性报告 kěxíngxìng bàogào feasibility
report
kěyǐ 可以 MODAL V giving permission, may, can, be allowed ■ “我可以走了吗？”“可以。”“Wǒ
kěyǐ zǒu le ma?” “Kěyǐ.” “May I leave now?” “Yes, you may.” ■ 你不可以把阅览室的书带回
家。Nǐ bù kěyǐ bǎ yuèlǎnshì de shū dàihuí jiā. You are not allowed to take books home from the
reading room.
kě 渴 ADJ thirsty ■ 我渴了，请给我一杯水。Wǒ kě le, qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ. I’m thirsty. Please give
me a glass of water. 口渴 kǒukě thirsty ■ 你口渴吗？这里有水。Nǐ kǒu kě ma? Zhèli yǒu shuǐ. Are
you thirsty? Here’s some water.
NOTE: See note on 喝 hē.
kěwàng 渴望 [comp: 渴 thirsty + 望 hope] V thirst for, long for
kè 克 MEASURE WORD gram 五百克 wǔbǎi kè 500 grams
kèfú 克服 V overcome, conquer ■ 我相信一定能 克服这些暂时的困难。Wǒ xiāngxìn yídìng néng
kèfú zhèxiē zànshí de kùnnan. I am convinced that we are surely able to overcome these temporary
difficulties.
kèzhì 克制 V restrain, exercise restraint
kè 刻¹ V carve ■ 他在石头上刻上自己的名字。Tā zài shítou shang kè shang zìjǐ de míngzi. He
carved his name on the rock.
kè 刻² MEASURE WORD quarter of an hour 一刻钟 yí kè zhōng a quarter of an hour; 15 minutes / 三点一刻 sān
diǎn yí kè a quarter past three
kè bu róng huǎn 刻不容缓 IDIOM demand immediate action, of extreme urgency
kèkǔ 刻苦 ADJ hardworking, assiduous, painstaking ■ 这位科学家刻苦研究十几年，终于找 到了答
案。Zhè wèi kēxuéjiā kèkǔ yánjiū shí jǐ nián, zhōngyú zhǎodào le dá’àn. The scientist researched
arduously for a dozen years and finally found the answer.
kè 客 N guest
kèguān 客观 ADJ 1 objective 2 impartial, without bias
kèhù 客户 N client, customer, buyer
kèqi 客气 [modif: 客 guest + 气 manner] ADJ 1 polite, stand on ceremony ■ 您跟我们一起吃午饭 吧，
别客气。Nín gēn wǒmen yìqǐ chī wǔfàn ba, bié kèqi. Have lunch with us. Don’t stand on
ceremony. 2 modest ■ 你唱歌唱得这么好，还说不好，太客 气了。Nǐ chànggē chàng de zhème
hào, hái shuō bù hǎo, tài kèqi le. You sing so well but you still say you don’t sing well. You’re too
modest.
kèren 客人 N guest, visitor ■ 宴会八点钟开始， 七点三刻客人陆续到来。Yànhuì bā diǎnzhōng
kāishǐ, qī diǎn sān kè kèren lùxù dàolai. The banquet began at eight o’clock; guests arrived one
after another at a quarter to eight.
kètīng 客厅 [modif: 客 guest + 厅 hall] N living room, sitting room
kè 课 TRAD 課 N lesson, class, lecture ■ 今天的课你 听懂没有？ Jīntiān de kè nǐ tīngdǒng méiyǒu? Do
you understand today’s lesson? 上课 shàng kè go to class / 下课 xià kè finish class