A different use of 可 － 『可』字的用法

[ma3zi1]

I've seen 可 used as a means for emphasis that I don't quite understand. I've seen and heard this usage pattern many times; it seems mostly colloquial. Here are some examples:

1）国际象棋啊，这我可不会下。我只会下中国象棋。

2）这个可复杂了。

3）还用报什么培训班呀，我教你得了。我可是个很好的老师哟。

4）那小家伙可真乖，一见着我爷爷就给他磕头祝寿，把爷爷乐得不行，都笑得合不拢嘴了。

5）给老人请保姆可没你想的那么容易。

If I had to translate 可 in each case, I would say:

1）可 ＝ 完全，2）可 ＝ 挺/蠻，3）可 ＝ 真，4）可 ＝ ？，5）可 ＝ 則

What are the rules for using 可 this way? Is the variation in meaning really this disparate?

[Hofmann]

國語辭典

Most of them mean 卻 or 真.

[creamyhorror]

I think of it as meaning "sure [is/isn't]" with a contrastive feel, as if the statement contradicts what's usual/expected or what the listener believes. To my mind this pretty much fits in all your examples.

这我可不会下 = Now that I don't know how to play ("Now" here has something of the feel of 可.)

这个可复杂了。 = Now this one is complicated.

我可是个很好的老师哟。 = I'm a great teacher, y'know? (Unlike what you may think)

那小家伙可真乖 = [Now] that li'l guy sure is a good kid

可没你想的那么容易。 = [it] sure isn't as simple as you think.

[ma3zi1]

@creamyhorror: very helpful analogies, thank you!

Anyway, here's the MOE adverbially [幅] definitions that Hoffman alluded to:

卻 =「你去，我可不去。」

表示疑問 =「你可知道？」、「你可想過？」

真、確實 =「穀雨初晴，可是麗人天氣。」

Here's a helper verb [助] definition:

用於句中，表示加強語氣 =「你可回來了。」、「這下可好了！」

I guess what I‘m most confused about is where these uses are most appropriate.

If anyone can speak to that, I would be most grateful.

[Glenn]

Could you say, for instance, 那可只是你的意見 or 那可只是你的想法, to mean "that's just your opinion"?

[charlene]

@Glenn, no, that's weird...

[Glenn]

I just stumbled across this topic, and I'm wondering (since they question was never answered) -- when could/should this 可 be used? Apparently it can't be used how I was asking about... Can it be used any time you can use 眞 or 卻, or is it more restricted than that? For instance, are the following OK?

這可太棒了!

你可是個好人。

I can't think of anything else right now.

[skylee]

The Lin Yutang Dictionary can be a useful tool, you know. Take a look at word 24 explanation 1 -

24. 可是 [ke3shi4], (1) v.i., be indeed, be (emphatic): 你那樣可是真糟 you are simply awful;

[skylee]

Also, the sentences at #5 are ok. 這可太棒了! at #7 is also ok. Depending on the context 你可是個好人 might also be ok.

[Glenn]

The Lin Yutang Dictionary can be a useful tool, you know.

OK, I'll try to remember that one. I usually stick with MDBG and 國語辭典修訂本, and compare with the dictionary at Baidu every now and then. I've seen you quote that one a few times now, so I guess I'll add it to the list. Thanks.

[Glenn]

Hmm... it seems only single characters are searchable on that site. I tried 辭典 and got what amounted to an error. That's a bit inconvenient. But at least it seems good for single characters.

[creamyhorror]

@Glenn: 詞典 works, though (assuming you do a full-text search). Use this link. (The dictionary is very good, I'll be consulting it more often in future.)

[skylee]

The dictionary is quite good. But do note that it is a bit old (thus some pronunciations can be outdated) and it appears that it is sort of out of maintenance (aggravating the problem). But still I find it quite useful and handy.

[Glenn]

OK, I've got it now. For words you have to use the "Fulltext", and for single characters you have to use "Head Char." That'll be helpful. I'll be using it more in the future to get a better handle on it.

Thanks, creamyhorror. It appears my mistake was using the "Head Char." search only. 辭典 came up as well in a "Fulltext" search.

On a side note, I think I'm going to start using zdict.net instead of Baidu for simplified/Mainland stuff. It seems to have more features and I think Baidu uses its engine anyway.