可
kě · HSK 5
can
可 = mouth 口 + breath 丂; sounds approve out loud, hence can/may
Etymology: a mouth 口 plus a breath-puff 丂, depicting voiced assent — saying yes, granting permission. From there it broadened to can or may. The kě reading echoes a short approving exhale.
可 — mouth 口 + breath marker 丁 (modified)
可 originally depicted a mouth (口) with a curved stroke suggesting exhaled breath or speech, conveying approval or assent. From this came the meaning 'to permit' or 'can,' as granting permission was expressed verbally. Today it broadly means 'may,' 'can,' or 'approve.'