# có thể meaning in Vietnamese: can (A1)

> có thể means “can, may” in Vietnamese. It can also mean maybe. Examples with audio.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/co-the/ · Updated 2026-10-18

**có thể**: can · maybe

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: co the

## 1. can (verb)

can, may, to be able to

To ask, add *không* at the end with no second *có*. In everyday speech, *được* after the verb is more common.

- Anh có thể giúp em không? — Could you help me?
- Tôi có thể nói tiếng Anh. — I can speak English.

Level: A1

Grammar: [Can, may: có thể + verb](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/co-the-can/)

## 2. maybe (adverb)

maybe, possibly, might

At the start of a sentence; a weaker guess than *có lẽ*.

- Có thể tối nay trời mưa. — It might rain tonight.
- Có thể mai em đi Đà Lạt. — Maybe I'll go to Đà Lạt tomorrow.

Level: A2

Previous: [có lẽ](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/co-le/)
Next: [có vẻ](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/co-ve/)

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