The Meaning of kanō [可能] In Japanese

可能
かのう
Romaji: kanō N4

What does 可能 mean?

Translation and Meaning

possible, feasible; able, capable; potential

Definition

可能 denotes feasibility or the capacity for something to occur or be true; used as a na-adjective and as a noun to describe what can be done or what could be the case, often in formal or analytical contexts.

Type

na-adjective (形容動詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • General sense: describes something that can happen, be done, or be true.
  • As a noun within compounds, it names the state of being possible and appears in expressions like 可能性.
  • Common in technical, academic, and business contexts to discuss feasibility or potential outcomes.

Composition

  • 可: relates to permissibility or acceptability; used to indicate that something is allowed or possible in compounds
  • 能: denotes ability or capability; together with 可 forms the concept of potential or feasibility

Usage

Used in formal and written Japanese to express feasibility or capability; occurs in plain and polite forms; typical constructions include 可能だ, 可能です, and 可能性; frequently used in planning, analysis, and policy discussions; in casual speech, speakers may prefer more direct verbs like できる.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a green light (可) granting permission and a power switch (能) turning on—together they signal that something is within reach, i.e., kanō.

Variations

  • 可能だ (kanō da) — casual, plain form
  • 可能です (kanō desu) — polite form
  • 不可能 (fukanō) — opposite meaning impossible
  • 可能性 (kanōsei) — noun form meaning possibility

Example Phrases

  • 今日は 仕事を 早く終わらせれば 在宅勤務が 可能だ。
    Kyou wa shigoto o hayaku owaraseba zaitaku kinmu ga kanou da.
    If I finish my work early today, remote work will be possible.
    Lista:
    • 今日は (kyou wa) – today
    • 仕事を (shigoto o) – work (object marker)
    • 早く終わらせれば (hayaku owaraseba) – if you finish quickly
    • 在宅勤務が (zaitaku kinmu ga) – remote work (subject)
    • 可能だ (kanou da) – is possible
    「可能」 is used as a na-adjective meaning ‘possible’; here it follows the subject via が and だ.
可能