可以吗？

Using it is a breeze. You can stick it at the end of any statement to turn it into a request. For example, "I sit here, 可以吗？" Just remember the rising tone at the end. It sounds friendly and open. You don't need complex grammar to sound natural with this one. It's short, sweet, and gets the job done instantly.

Use it when you're at a restaurant and want to move tables. Use it when you're texting a friend to see if meeting at 8 PM works. It’s perfect for asking to borrow a pen or taking a photo of a cool street cat. In a meeting, use it to see if your colleagues agree with a point. It’s the polite way to navigate shared spaces.

Don't use it for things that are physically impossible. If you're asking if a car can fly, use 能 (néng) instead. Also, avoid using it with your boss for very serious, high-stakes permissions. In those cases, a more formal phrase like 您看行吗？ might be better. It can sound a bit too simple if you're trying to be extremely fancy or poetic. Don't use it if you're already 100% sure of the answer.

Chinese culture values harmony and checking in with others. 可以吗？ reflects this by giving the other person a chance to agree or suggest something else. It’s less about 'rights' and more about 'mutual agreement.' It shows you are considerate of the other person's feelings or schedule. It’s a small phrase that builds a lot of social 'face' and goodwill.

If you want to sound even more casual, try 行吗？ (xíng ma). It's punchier and very common in Northern China. For a bit more softness, you might hear 可以不可以？ which literally means "can or cannot?" If you are talking to someone much older, you might add a 请问 (qǐng wèn) at the beginning. But honestly, 可以吗？ is the gold standard for almost every situation.