尽可能

• Pinyin: jìn kě néng
• Hanzi breakdown: 尽 = simplified from 盡, meaning to exhaust; 可能 = 可 (can) + 能 (able), meaning possible

Meaning

As much as possible; to the greatest extent possible.

Used to express doing something to the maximum degree within constraints. Often followed by a verb or 地 + verb. 尽可能快 means as fast as possible. Slightly more formal than 尽量, which is more colloquial.

Examples

1. 我会尽可能早地完成这个项目。 I will complete this project as early as possible.
2. 请尽可能详细地描述一下当时的情况。 Please describe the situation at that time in as much detail as possible.
3. 医生说要尽可能多休息，少用眼睛。 The doctor said to rest as much as possible and use your eyes less.

Usage Guide

Context: requests, instructions, goals

Tone: striving

Do Say

• 尽可能快点来。(Come as quickly as possible.)
• 我会尽可能帮你的。(I'll help you as much as I can.)

Don't Say

• 尽可能地不可能 (尽可能 and 不可能 contradict each other)

Origin & History

Compound of 尽 (exhaust, to the limit) + 可能 (possible), meaning to the extent possible.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal