mumkin

May, Can, Possible

Level 2

Mumkin means "possible, allowed": Kirish mumkinmi? (May I come in?), Bu yerda chekish mumkin emas (Smoking is not allowed here).

How It Works

Asking and giving permission
Mumkin follows the verb noun from The Verb Noun -(i)sh:

  • Kirish mumkinmi? May I come in? (literally, is entering possible?)
  • Telefon qilish mumkinmi? Can I make a phone call?
  • Mumkin. Yes, you may. Mumkin emas. No, you may not.

With no possessive ending, the question is polite and impersonal, which is why it is so common. Another everyday way to ask is May, Can: -sa boʻladi: Kirsam boʻladimi?

Not allowed
Signs and rules use mumkin emas: Bu yerda chekish mumkin emas (No smoking here). Like kerak, mumkin is negated with Saying Something Is Not.

With a possessive ending
A possessive on the verb noun says who can do it: Men sizga yordam berishim mumkin (I can help you). The same shape often means "might": Kechikishim mumkin (I might be late). See Might: -ishi mumkin.

A handy phrase
Mumkin boʻlsa means "if possible" and softens a request: Mumkin boʻlsa, derazani oching (Please open the window, if you can).

Allowed or able?
Mumkin is about what is allowed or possible. Being physically able is Can: -a olmoq: Koʻtara olaman (I can lift it).

Examples (6)

  1. Kirish mumkinmi?

    May I come in?

    Word by Word: Entering possible-question?

    The polite, impersonal way to ask.

  2. Bu yerda chekish mumkin emas.

    Smoking is not allowed here.

    Word by Word: This place-at smoking possible not.

  3. Kechirasiz, telefon qilish mumkinmi?

    Excuse me, can I make a phone call?

    Word by Word: Sorry, phone making possible-question?

  4. Bu yerda suratga olish mumkin.

    You can take photos here.

    Word by Word: This place-at picture-to taking possible.

  5. Men sizga yordam berishim mumkin.

    I can help you.

    Word by Word: I you-to help giving-my possible.

    The possessive -im shows who can help.

  6. Mumkin boʻlsa, derazani oching.

    Please open the window, if you can.

    Word by Word: Possible if-it-is, window-object open.

Common Mistakes

  • Negating mumkin with yoʻq.

    Bu yerda chekish mumkin yoʻq.
    Bu yerda chekish mumkin emas.

    Mumkin is not a verb, so it is negated with emas, just like kerak.

  • Putting a conjugated verb before mumkin.

    Men kiraman mumkinmi?
    Kirish mumkinmi?

    Mumkin needs the -ish verb noun before it: kirish mumkinmi?

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

mumkinLevel 2May, Can, Possible

Learn This First

Builds on Can: -a olmoq and Saying Something Is Not.

Words in This Pattern

mumkinemas