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
Romaji: ka
Kana: か
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:
Kekkou wa kenkou ni aku eikyou wo ataeru kanousei ga arimasu
Lack can have a negative effect on health.
Laws can have a negative effect on your health.
- 欠乏 (Kekkaku) - lack, scarcity
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 健康 (kenkou) - health
- に (ni) - target particle
- 悪影響 (aku eikyou) - negative effect, negative impact
- を (wo) - direct object particle
- 与える (ataeru) - Dar, fornecer
- 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
- が (ga) - subject particle
- あります (arimasu) - exist, have
Kaizen suru koto wa tsune ni kanō desu
It is always possible to improve.
It is always possible to improve.
- 改善すること - Improve
- は - Topic particle
- 常に - Always
- 可能 - Possible
- です - Verb "to be" in the present
Seitou wa kuni no hatten ni fukaketsu na sonzai desu
Political parties are an essential presence for the country's development.
Political parties are essential for national development.
- 政党 - Political party
- は - Topic particle
- 国 - country
- の - Possessive particle
- 発展 - development
- に - target particle
- 不可欠 - indispensable
- な - attribute particle
- 存在 - existence
- です - Verb "to be"
Joushiki wa shakai seikatsu ni oite hitsuyou fukaketsu na mono desu
Common sense is essential in social life.
Common sense is essential in social life.
- 常識 - common knowledge
- 社会生活 - social life
- において - in
- 必要不可欠 - essential
- な - is
- もの - thing
- です - is
Kensetsu wa shakai no hatten ni fukaketsu na yōso desu
Construction is an indispensable element for the development of society.
Construction is an essential element for social development.
- 建設 - Construction
- は - Topic particle
- 社会 - Society
- の - Possessive particle
- 発展 - Development
- に - Destination particle
- 不可欠 - Essential
- な - adjectival suffix
- 要素 - Element
- です - polite way of being
Kobugara na josei wa totemo kawairashii desu
Small women are very cute.
Small women are very cute.
- 小柄な - means "small" or "short"
- 女性 - means "woman"
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "the short woman"
- とても - adverb meaning "very"
- 可愛らしい - adjective meaning "cute" or "adorable"
- です - Verb "to be" in polite form
Onnanoko wa kawaii desu
Girls are cute.
The girl is cute.
- 女の子 - It means "girl" in Japanese.
- は - It is a particle that marks the topic of the sentence, which in this case is "girl."
- 可愛い - It means "cute" or "beautiful" in Japanese.
- です - is a polite way of saying "ser" or "estar" in Japanese.
Henkaku wa hitsuyō fukaketsu na mono desu
Change is essential and indispensable.
Transformation is indispensable.
- 変革 (henkaku) - means "change" or "reform"
- は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 必要不可欠 (hitsuyoufukaketsu) - means "essential" or "indispensable"
- な (na) - grammatical particle that emphasizes the previous word
- もの (mono) - means "thing" or "object"
- です (desu) - verb "ser" or "estar" in the polite form
Kawaii neko ga imasu
I have a fluffy cat.
I have a fluffy cat.
- 可愛い - Adjective that means "fluffy" or "cute".
- 猫 - The noun that means "cat."
- が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
- います - Verb that means "to exist" or "to be present".
Heiki wa sensou wo hikio kosu kanousei ga aru
Weapons have the potential to cause war.
- 兵器 - weapon
- は - Topic particle
- 戦争 - war
- を - direct object particle
- 引き起こす - cause
- 可能性 - possibility
- が - subject particle
- ある - exist
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
