Traditional Chinese course

Lesson 29 of 240

New here? This is lesson 29 of a free 240-lesson Traditional Chinese course.

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Can I? in Traditional Chinese

At Banyan Breakfast, Maya spots an empty place at the back table and asks Auntie Lin if she can sit there. A-Li answers first, just before Auntie Lin can say no.

Learn how to ask permission with 可以, then respond with a simple yes or a polite no. The phrases work for asking by yourself or with someone else.

Listen for the changing sound in 可以. Later, Maya asks about moving a table, while A-Li's soy milk stays unfinished.

By the end of this lesson

Ask permission with 可以 and give a simple yes or a polite no.

  • 我可以___嗎？Can I ___?
  • 可以Yes, you can.
  • 可以啊Sure, go ahead.
  • 不可以You can't.
  • 不好意思，不行Sorry, no.
  • 我們可以___嗎？Can we ___?

Scene — a seat at the back

Morning is busy at Banyan Breakfast in Da'an. Auntie Lin is arranging chairs, while A-Li waits at the back with his soy milk.

Maya asks to sit there. A-Li gives a quick yes before Auntie Lin can answer. Later, Maya asks about moving a table and the folded slip.

A busy Da’an breakfast shop where Auntie Lin arranges chairs, Maya approaches, and A-Li waits at the back with soy milk.

Learn — asking permission

These lines help you ask if something is okay and respond when someone asks you. Listen to each phrase, then say it aloud.

Learn each short answer as one piece. 可以啊 sounds friendly and casual; 不好意思 makes a refusal more polite.

  1. Maya politely asks Auntie Lin if she may sit at an open place while A-Li waits nearby.

    我可以___嗎？

    Can I ___?

    When to use it: Use this to ask permission to do something.

    Learn it as one piece.

    Say it: In 可以, the first third tone rises before the next third tone.

  2. A-Li quickly gives Maya an enthusiastic yes before Auntie Lin can respond.

    可以

    Yes, you can.

    When to use it: Use this to say someone has permission.

    Learn it as one piece.

  3. Auntie Lin warmly agrees as Maya moves toward the open seat.

    可以啊

    Sure, go ahead.

    When to use it: Use this for a friendly, casual yes.

    Learn it as one piece.

  4. Auntie Lin firmly refuses Maya’s request to move a table.

    不可以

    You can't.

    When to use it: Use this to say something is not allowed.

    Learn it as one piece.

  5. Auntie Lin apologetically refuses Maya’s request about a folded slip.

    不好意思，不行

    Sorry, no.

    When to use it: Use this for a polite refusal.

    Learn it as one piece.

  6. Maya asks Auntie Lin if they can move a table, gesturing toward it while Lin listens.

    我們可以___嗎？

    Can we ___?

    When to use it: Use this to ask permission for a group.

    Learn it as one piece.

Story — a quick yes at breakfast

Maya asks to sit at the back table at Banyan Breakfast. A-Li answers before Auntie Lin can respond.

Then Maya asks about moving a table and looking at the folded paper in the till.

  1. Auntie Lin美女，早安！Good morning, beautiful!
  2. Maya您好。Hello, politely.
  3. Maya我可以坐後面嗎？Can I sit at the back?
  4. A-Li可以啊！Sure, go ahead!
  5. Maya我們可以搬桌子嗎？Can we move the table?
  6. Auntie Lin不好意思，不行。Sorry, no.
  7. Maya我可以看那張紙嗎？Can I look at that paper?
  8. Auntie Lin不可以。You can't.
  9. Maya謝謝。Thank you.

Practice — ask and answer

Try ten short exercises about asking permission and giving a yes or no. Choose the phrase that fits each moment.

Some prompts come from Maya's breakfast-shop visit. Listen closely, then check the explanation and try again.

0 of 10 done

  1. What do you say?

    You want to ask permission to do something. Choose the question frame for yourself alone.

  2. Pick the reply

    A-Li says:

    我可以坐這裡嗎？

    Auntie Lin has already invited A-Li to sit here. He asks, “Can I sit here?”

    And you reply with:

  3. Build the line

    Sure, go ahead.

    Tap the words in order.

  4. What do you say?

    Auntie Lin says the paper is off limits. Give a direct no.

  5. Fill the gap

    Sorry, no.

    不好意思，____

  6. What do you say?

    You and a friend want to ask permission together. Choose the group question frame.

  7. What did you hear?

  8. What does it mean?

    不好意思，不行

  9. What do you say?

    Greet Auntie Lin politely when you arrive in the morning.

  10. What do you say?

    You meet Auntie Lin for the first time. Give a polite greeting that is not tied to a time of day.

Say it — your permission questions

You play Maya at Banyan Breakfast. Listen to each cue, then ask permission or give a friendly answer out loud.

Use the microphone for your turns. You can replay the other speaker's line before you answer.

  1. Maya asks if she can sit at the back table.
  2. Maya (you)Ask the question frame for sitting at the back.

    我可以___嗎？

    Can I ___?

0 of 3 said

Recap — what you can say now

Traditional ChineseEnglish
我可以___嗎？Can I ___?
可以Yes, you can.
可以啊Sure, go ahead.
不可以You can't.
不好意思，不行Sorry, no.
我們可以___嗎？Can we ___?
Next: lesson 30What's allowed

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Keep practicing with Yak Cards

Practice permission questions and answers with Yak Cards.

Review a few permission cards each day so asking feels natural.

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