可谓: one may well say, truly
动词 / verbs
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
S + 可谓 + assessment (often a 成语)
可谓 ("may be called") introduces a strong appraisal, often a 成语 or laudatory phrase. Written register: art criticism, culture pages.
Often strengthened as 真可谓、可谓是. It replaces 是 or 可以说 in formal style: 这部电影可谓经典 (this film is a true classic).
Examples
这位画家的作品可谓家喻户晓。
Zhè wèi huàjiā de zuòpǐn kěwèi jiā yù hù xiǎo.This painter's works are, one may say, known to every household.
他十年只写了一部小说，真可谓十年磨一剑。
Tā shí nián zhǐ xiě le yí bù xiǎoshuō, zhēn kěwèi shí nián mó yí jiàn.He spent ten years writing one novel: a true case of "ten years to forge a sword".
这场演出可谓近年来最成功的一次。
Zhè chǎng yǎnchū kěwèi jìnnián lái zuì chénggōng de yí cì.This performance was arguably the most successful in recent years.
Common mistakes
✗ 可谓是是: one 是 at most.
✗ 可谓 + a plain fact: ✗ 他可谓二十岁 → 可谓 expresses an evaluation.