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:
Fuketsu na hito wa kenkō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu
The dirty person can have a negative impact on health.
Dirty people may have a negative effect on health.
- 不潔な人 (fuketsu na hito) - dirty person
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 健康 (kenkou) - health
- に (ni) - target particle
- 悪影響 (aku eikyou) - negative effect
- を (wo) - object particle
- 与える (ataeru) - cause
- 可能性 (kanousei) - possibility
- が (ga) - subject particle
- あります (arimasu) - exists
Ribon wo tsukeru to kawaiku naru
When you grab a ribbon, it becomes fluffy.
When you grab a ribbon, it becomes fluffy.
- リボン (Ribbon) - a decorative ribbon
- を (wo) - object particle
- つける (tsukeru) - to place, to fix, to attach
- と (to) - Comparison particle
- 可愛く (kawaiku) - adorable, beautiful, cute
- なる (naru) - become, stay
Kaikaku wa hitsuyō fukaketsu da
Reform is essential and necessary.
Reform is essential.
- 「改革」- means "reform" or "change"
- 「は」- grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 「必要不可欠」- means "necessary" or "essential"
- 「だ」- Verb "to be" in the present tense
Anata wa totemo kawaii chan desu ne
You are very cute
- あなた (anata) - you
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- とても (totemo) - very
- 可愛い (kawaii) - bonito, fofo
- ちゃん (chan) - affectionate suffix for girls
- です (desu) - Verb to be
- ね (ne) - confirmation particle
Kono ki no eda wa oreru kanōsei ga aru
This branch of the tree has the possibility of breaking.
The branches of this tree can break.
- この - demonstrative that indicates proximity, equivalent to "this" or "this"
- 木 - noun meaning "tree"
- の - particle that indicates possession, equivalent to "'s" in English
- 枝 - noun meaning "twig" or "branch"
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, equivalent to "é" or "são" in English
- 折れる - verb meaning "to break" or "to break"
- 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, equivalent to "o" or "a" in English
- ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"
Kono garasu wa wareru kanōsei ga aru
This glass window has the possibility of breaking.
This glass can break.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
- ガラス - noun that means "glass"
- は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this glass"
- 割れる - verb in the potential form that means "can break"
- 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
- が - subject particle that indicates that "the possibility of breaking" is the subject of the sentence
- ある - verb that means "exists"
Kono mondai wa juudai na eikyou wo ataeru kanousei ga aru
This issue has the potential to have a significant impact.
This issue can have a significant impact.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
- 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
- は - topic particle that indicates that what follows is the subject of the sentence
- 重大な - adjective that means "serious" or "severe"
- 影響 - noun that means "influence" or "impact"
- を - object particle that indicates the target of the action
- 与える - verb meaning "to give" or "to grant"
- 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
- が - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"
Kono mondai wa kaiketsusaku ga daburu kanōsei ga aru
This problem can be a solution.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
- 問題 - noun meaning "problem"
- は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
- 解決策 - compound noun meaning "solution"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- ダブる - verb meaning "to duplicate" or "to repeat"
- 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- ある - Verb that means "to exist"
Kono byouki wa nagabiku kanousei ga aru
This disease can drag on for a long time.
This disease can be prolonged.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
- 病気 - noun meaning "disease"
- は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 長引く - verb meaning "to linger" or "to drag on"
- 可能性 - noun meaning "possibility"
- が - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- ある - verb meaning "to exist" or "to have"
Sutoresu wa kenkō ni aku eikyō o ataeru kanōsei ga arimasu
Stress can have a negative impact on health.
Stress can have a negative effect on your health.
- ストレス - Japanese word meaning "stress"
- は - Particle in Japanese that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "stress"
- 健康 - Word in Japanese that means "health"
- に - Particle in Japanese that indicates the relationship between "stress" and "health", in this case, "affects health"
- 悪影響 - Japanese word meaning "negative effect"
- を - particle in Japanese that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "negative effect"
- 与える - Japanese verb that means "to cause"
- 可能性 - Word in Japanese that means "possibility"
- が - particle in Japanese that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "possibility"
- あります - Verb in Japanese that means "to exist", in this case, "there is a possibility"
- . - period to indicate the end of the sentence
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
