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 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 ing 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

Related words

不可

fuka

wrong; bad; improper; unjustifiable; inacceptable

不可欠

fukaketsu

indispensable; essential

許可

kyoka

permission; approval

可愛い

kawaii

beautiful; cute; adorable; charming; dear; darling; pet

可愛がる

kawaigaru

to love; to be affectionate

可哀想

kawaisou

poor; unfortunate; pathetic

可愛らしい

kawairashii

Adorable; sweet

可能

kanou

possible; feasible; viable

可成

kanari

considerably; just; quite

可決

kaketsu

approval; Adoption (for example, of a bill); approval (from a bill)

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

Translation / Meaning: reasonable

Meaning in English: able

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

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (可) ka

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (可) ka:

Example Sentences - (可) ka

See below some example sentences:

無邪気な笑顔がとても可愛いです。

Mujaki na egao ga totemo kawaii desu

The innocent facial expression is very cute.

The innocent smile is very cute.

  • 無邪気な - Innocent, without malice
  • 笑顔 - smile
  • が - subject particle
  • とても - very
  • 可愛い - fofo, bonito
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
彼女は可哀想だ。

Kanojo wa kawaisō da

She is worthy of pity.

She is poor.

  • 彼女 (kanojo) - she
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 可哀想 (kawaisou) - sad, pitiful
  • だ (da) - Verb to be/estar in the present
可笑しいことが起こった。

Kawaisou koto ga okotta

Something funny happened.

One funny thing happened.

  • 可笑しい (おかしい) - funny, strange
  • ことが - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
  • 起こった (おこった) - happened, occurred
食料は人間にとって不可欠なものです。

Shokuryō wa ningen ni totte fukaketsu na mono desu

Nutrition is essential to human beings.

Food is essential for human beings.

  • 食料 - food
  • は - Topic particle
  • 人間 - Human being
  • にとって - for
  • 不可欠 - essential
  • な - adjective particle
  • もの - thing
  • です - is
過労は健康に悪影響を与える可能性がある。

Karō wa kenkō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga aru

Overworking can have a negative impact on health.

  • 過労 - excessive fatigue
  • は - Topic particle
  • 健康 - health
  • に - target particle
  • 悪影響 - negative effect
  • を - object particle
  • 与える - cause
  • 可能性 - possibility
  • が - subject particle
  • ある - exist
酸素は人間にとって必要不可欠な要素です。

Sanso wa ningen ni totte hitsuyōfukaketsu na yōso desu

Oxygen is an essential element for humans.

  • 酸素 (sanso) - Oxygen
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 人間 (ningen) - Human being
  • にとって (ni totte) - For
  • 必要不可欠 (hitsuyoufukaketsu) - Essential, indispensable
  • な (na) - adjectival particle
  • 要素 (yousou) - Element
  • です (desu) - Verb to be/estar
赤ん坊は可愛いです。

Akachan wa kawaii desu

Babies are cute.

The baby is cute.

  • 赤ん坊 - means "baby" in Japanese.
  • は - partopic marker, used to indicate the subject of the sentence, in this case "baby".
  • 可愛い - Adjective that means "fluffy" or "cute".
  • です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite and formal way of affirming something, in this case "is".
膨脹した経済は持続可能ではない。

Bōchō shita keizai wa jizoku kanō de wa nai

An inflated economy is not sustainable.

The expanded economy is not sustainable.

  • 膨脹した - The word that means "expanded" or "swollen".
  • 経済 - The word that means "economy."
  • は - Grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
  • 持続可能 - composite word that means "sustainable" or "long-term viable".
  • ではない - expression that means "it's not".
管理はビジネスの成功に不可欠です。

Kanri wa bijinesu no seikō ni fukaketsu desu

Management is essential for business success.

Management is essential for business success.

  • 管理 (kanri) - management, istration
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • ビジネス (bijinesu) - business, enterprise
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 成功 (seikou) - success, achievement
  • に (ni) - target particle
  • 不可欠 (fukaketsu) - indispensable, essential
  • です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
細菌は病気を引き起こす可能性があります。

Saikin wa byouki wo hikiokosu kanousei ga arimasu

Bacteria can cause disease.

Bacteria can cause disease.

  • 細菌 (saikin) - bacteria
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 病気 (byouki) - disease
  • を (wo) - direct object particle
  • 引き起こす (hikiokosu) - cause, provoke
  • 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
  • が (ga) - subject particle
  • あります (arimasu) - exist, have

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

悪口

akkou

abuse; insult; defamation; bouth

kan

tube

株式

kabushiki

Stock (company)

決算

kessan

balance sheet; settlement

公表

kouhyou

official announcement; proclamation

可