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
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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:

欠乏は健康に悪影響を与える可能性があります。

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
改善することは常に可能です。

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
政党は国の発展に不可欠な存在です。

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"
常識は社会生活において必要不可欠なものです。

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
建設は社会の発展に不可欠な要素です。

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
小柄な女性はとても可愛らしいです。

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
女の子は可愛いです。

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.
変革は必要不可欠なものです。

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
可愛い猫がいます。

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".
兵器は戦争を引き起こす可能性がある。

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

思い付き

omoitsuki

plan; idea; suggestion

狭い

semai

narrow; confined; small

係り

kakari

official; duty; responsible person

和服

wafuku

Japanese clothes

下番

kaban

leaving duty

可