可以 | kě yǐ | can; may; possible; able to |
不可以 | bù kě yǐ | may not |
他山之石可以攻玉 | tā shān zhī shí kě yǐ gōng yù | lit. the other mountain's stone can polish jade (idiom); to improve oneself by accepting criticism from outside; to borrow talent from abroad to develop the nation effectively |
可以意会, 不可言传 | kě yǐ yì huì , bù kě yán chuán | can be understood, but not described (idiom, from Zhuangzi 庄子); mysterious and subtle |
夏虫不可以语冰 | xià chóng bù kě yǐ yǔ bīng | A summer insect (which does not live to see winter) cannot talk about ice; to have limited experience and knowledge (idiom) |
星星之火, 可以燎原 | xīng xing zhī huǒ , kě yǐ liáo yuán | a single spark can start a huge blaze (idiom); an insignificant cause can have a massive effect |