堪 (kān) — (auxiliary verb) can, may, be capable of

Definition

堪 is a formal auxiliary verb (aux.) meaning 'can, be capable of' or 'may', used in written and literary Chinese. It appears before the main verb to indicate capability or feasibility, often in fixed expressions like 堪称 ('can be called') and 堪用 ('usable'). Note: this row covers the auxiliary sense only; the verb sense 'to bear, endure' (as in 不堪 'unbearable') belongs to a different POS entry.

aux.

(auxiliary verb) canmaybe capable of

Examples

。
Tā de zuòpǐn kān chēng jīngdiǎn.
His work can be called a classic.
。
Zhè zhǒng cáiliào kān chēng nàiyòng.
This material can be called durable.
堪。
Tā kān dāng cǐ zhòngrèn.
He can take on this important task.

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