Featured📅 6/25/2026👁️ 2 views

All About "可不可以" (Can We) by Zhang Zihao: Lyrics & Meaning

Ready to unlock the beauty of the Chinese language through a song that touched millions? Let us introduce you to "可不可以" (Kě Bù Kě Yǐ - Can I), the captivating hit by Chinese singer-songwriter Zhang Zi Hao (张紫豪). Known for his distinctive voice and heartfelt ballads, Zhang Zi Hao became a viral sensation in 2018 with this emotional track, which perfectly encapsulates themes of love and connection. If you're eager to learn Chinese in a deeply engaging and memorable way, "可不可以" offers an irresistible blend of evocative Mandarin lyrics and a melody that will stay with you, making it an ideal starting point for your language journey.

Quick Info

Song Name 可不可以 (Can I - Zhang Zi Hao)
Artist Liu Weifeng
Original Singer Zhang Zihao
Release Year 2018
Duration 04:15

Interactive Lyrics

qián
Prelude
qián
Prelude
qián
Prelude
qián
Prelude
qián
Prelude
shuō
hǎo
dài
liú
làng
We promised to wander far
shuō
hǎo
dài
liú
làng
We promised to wander far
shuō
hǎo
dài
liú
làng
We promised to wander far
shuō
hǎo
dài
liú
làng
We promised to wander far
ér
què
bàn
fǎn
háng
Yet I, halfway, turned home
zhuì
luò
hǎi
yáng
Into self-reproach's sea I fell
zhuì
luò
hǎi
yáng
Into self-reproach's sea I fell
zhuì
luò
de
hǎi
yáng
Into self-reproach's sea I fell
zhuì
luò
de
hǎi
yáng
Into self-reproach's sea I fell
xiàn
kāi
Found I cannot be without you
kāi
shǐ
jué
dìng
huí
I then resolved to return
kāi
shǐ
jué
dìng
huí
I then resolved to return
kāi
shǐ
jué
dìng
huí
I then resolved to return
zài
yuán
You were no longer where I left you
zài
yuán
You were no longer where I left you
zài
yuán
You were no longer where I left you
zài
yuán
You were no longer where I left you
zài
yuán
You were no longer where I left you
zài
yuán
You were no longer where I left you
jiē
shòu
de
suǒ
yǒu
suǒ
yǒu
xiǎo
All of you, your every small pique, I can embrace
jiē
shòu
de
suǒ
yǒu
suǒ
yǒu
xiǎo
All of you, your every small pique, I can embrace
jiē
shòu
de
suǒ
yǒu
suǒ
yǒu
xiǎo
All of you, your every small pique, I can embrace
dài
chī
hěn
duō
hěn
duō
hǎo
dōng
西
I can lead you to countless delightful feasts
dài
chī
hěn
duō
hěn
duō
hǎo
dōng
西
I can lead you to countless delightful feasts
dài
chī
hěn
duō
hěn
duō
hǎo
dōng
西
I can lead you to countless delightful feasts
de
xīn
shāng
néng
zhì
Your heart's wounds, I possess the cure
de
kuài
zhǐ
yǒu
néng
My happiness, only you can impart
de
kuài
zhǐ
yǒu
néng
My happiness, only you can impart
men
jiù
bié
zài
fēn
Let us never part again
men
jiù
bié
zài
fēn
Let us never part again
men
jiù
bié
zài
fēn
Let us never part again
men
jiù
bié
zài
fēn
Let us never part again
bu
zài
Oh, can we truly be together?
bu
zài
Oh, can we truly be together?
ài
shàng
le
méi
shén
me
dào
Loving you, there is no rhyme or reason
ài
shàng
le
méi
shén
me
dào
Loving you, there is no rhyme or reason
zhǐ
shì
gāng
hǎo
qīng
mài
chū
kāi
dào
It was just, in Chiang Mai's first bloom, I met you
zhǐ
shì
gāng
hǎo
qīng
mài
chū
kāi
dào
It was just, in Chiang Mai's first bloom, I met you
guò
i
n
g
Just passing through...
sān
nián
de
huí
Memories of three years
sān
nián
de
huí
Memories of three years
How can I ever erase them?
How can I ever erase them?
How can I ever erase them?
néng
bu
néng
zài
shí
Can we rekindle them once more?
néng
bu
néng
zài
shí
Can we rekindle them once more?
néng
bu
néng
zài
shí
Can we rekindle them once more?
yǒng
yuǎn
zài
Together, eternally
yǒng
yuǎn
zài
Together, eternally
men
jiù
bié
zài
fēn
Let us never part again
men
jiù
bié
zài
fēn
Let us never part again
bu
zài
Oh, can we truly be together?
bu
zài
Oh, can we truly be together?
men
zhī
jiān
yǒu
tài
duō
huí
Too many memories bind us
men
zhī
jiān
yǒu
tài
duō
huí
Too many memories bind us
men
zhī
jiān
yǒu
tài
duō
huí
Too many memories bind us
ài
shàng
le
méi
shén
me
dào
Loving you, there is no rhyme or reason
ài
shàng
le
méi
shén
me
dào
Loving you, there is no rhyme or reason
ài
shàng
le
méi
shén
me
dào
Loving you, there is no rhyme or reason
ài
shàng
le
méi
shén
me
dào
Loving you, there is no rhyme or reason
chèn
hái
méi
guò
bǎo
zhì
Before my moment passes
chèn
hái
méi
guò
bǎo
zhì
Before my moment passes
jié
wěi
Outro
jié
wěi
Outro
jié
wěi
Outro

The Story Behind the Song

"可不可以" (Can We), Zhang Zihao's viral Mandopop hit, is a raw, heart-wrenching monologue that resonated across millions in late 2018. Fueled by Zhang's deeply emotional vocals, it's the desperate plea of a young man on the brink of losing the love of his life, a poignant question asking for just one thing: don't let us drift apart.

At its core, this song is a profound testament to unconditional love, a quiet yet powerful promise to embrace every flaw, every mood, and every imperfect truth. It strips away grand romantic gestures, focusing instead on the simple, deeply human desire for enduring companionship and acceptance. Culturally, it taps into the universal yearning for a love that isn't just passion, but a steadfast willingness to truly see, understand, and, most importantly, stay by someone's side.

✨ Lyrical Highlights

可不可以 我们不要再分离
Kě bù kěyǐ wǒmen bùyào zài fēnlí
Can we not separate?

This line is the song's central, desperate plea, resonating with anyone who fears losing a loved one. Its direct simplicity conveys a profound vulnerability and longing for enduring connection. It embodies the core theme of seeking unwavering commitment and avoiding the pain of parting.

我的心跳乱了一拍 你的呼吸慢了下来
Wǒ de xīntiào luàn le yī pāi nǐ de hūxī màn le xiàlái
My heartbeat became erratic, your breathing slowed down

This line uses vivid physical sensations to illustrate a critical moment of emotional upheaval and misalignment in the relationship. The speaker's erratic heart against the other's slowing breath suggests a complex dynamic of internal chaos and potential detachment. It beautifully captures the unspoken tensions and the palpable shift in emotional states between two people.

Key HSK Vocabulary

Word Pinyin Meaning HSK Action
可不 kě bu right, exactly
流浪 liú làng roam about, lead a vagrant life HSK 7
保质期 bǎo zhì qī expiration date, best before date HSK 7
半路 bàn lù halfway, midway HSK 7
治愈 zhì yù cure, heal HSK 7
原地 yuán dì the original place HSK 7
结尾 jié wěi ending, winding-up stage HSK 7
给予 jǐ yǔ give, grant HSK 6
刚好 gāng hǎo appropriate, just HSK 6
海洋 hǎi yáng sea, ocean HSK 6
路过 lù guò pass by, pass through HSK 6
回忆 huí yì recollect, recall HSK 5
分离 fēn lí sever, separate HSK 5
心伤 xīn shāng sad, grieved HSK 3
只是 zhǐ shì only, just HSK 3
只有 zhǐ yǒu alone, only if HSK 3
如何 rú hé how, what HSK 3
决定 jué dìng decision, resolution HSK 3
道理 dào li truth, principle HSK 2
发现 fā xiàn find, discover HSK 2

Grammar Notes

📌 可不可以 (kě bù kěyǐ)
This pattern is used to ask 'can or cannot?' or 'is it possible?'. It's a common way to seek permission or inquire about possibility, similar to 'may I?' or 'is it possible to?' in English. It often carries a polite or slightly pleading tone.

我们可不可以再见面?

Wǒmen kě bù kěyǐ zài jiànmiàn?

Can we meet again?

📌 V + 不开 (bù kāi)
The resultative complement '不开' indicates an inability to achieve the action of the verb. In '离不开 (lí bù kāi)', it means 'cannot leave' or 'cannot be separated from'. It's commonly used with verbs like '离 (lí - separate)', '打 (dǎ - open by hitting)', or '放 (fàng - let go)'.

我离不开我的家人。

Wǒ lí bù kāi wǒ de jiārén.

I cannot be separated from my family.

📌 别再 (bié zài) + Verb
This pattern combines '别' (don't) and '再' (again) to form a command or strong suggestion not to repeat an action. It directly translates to 'don't do (something) again'.

你别再迟到了。

Nǐ bié zài chídào le.

Don't be late again.

📌 Repetition for emphasis (e.g., 所有所有, 很多很多)
Repeating adjectives or quantifiers like '所有 (suǒyǒu - all)' or '很多 (hěn duō - many/much)' is a common expressive technique in spoken Chinese. It intensifies the meaning, conveying a sense of 'every single' or 'a great many', adding emphasis and emotion to the statement.

我有很多很多话想对你说。

Wǒ yǒu hěn duō hěn duō huà xiǎng duì nǐ shuō.

I have so, so many things I want to tell you.

📌 只有...能/可以... (zhǐyǒu... néng/kěyǐ...)
This structure emphasizes that only a specific person or thing has the ability, capability, or permission to do something. '只有 (zhǐyǒu)' means 'only', followed by the subject, then '能 (néng - can, be able to)' or '可以 (kěyǐ - can, may)'. It highlights exclusivity.

只有你才能理解我。

Zhǐyǒu nǐ cái néng lǐjiě wǒ.

Only you can understand me.