Languages 1001

Ready to show off what you CAN do in Chinese? Meet 会 (huì) and 能 (néng)—two little words with superpowers! They let you talk about what you’re able to do, what you know how to do, and ask what’s possible. (Don’t worry, they’re MUCH easier than shapeshifting. Probably.) 1. 会 (huì) – “can/know how to” (learnt skills)
Use 会 when you want to say you’ve LEARNT something—a skill like cooking, swimming, or (of course) speaking Chinese!

• 我会说中文。 Wǒ huì shuō zhōngwén. = I can (know how to) speak Chinese.
• 你会游泳吗？ Nǐ huì yóuyǒng ma? = Can you swim?
• 莉莉不会开车。 Lìlì bú huì kāi chē. = Lili can’t drive.

☝️ 会 needs a learnt skill! 2. 能 (néng) – “can/be able to” (possibility/permission/physical ability)
Use 能 to talk about being able to do something due to circumstance, permission, or physical possibility—not about skills. If something’s possible (or impossible), 能 has your back!

• 明天你能来吗？ Míngtiān nǐ néng lái ma? = Can you (are you able to) come tomorrow?
• 浩然今天不能去学校。 Hàorán jīntiān bù néng qù xuéxiào. = Haoran can’t go to school today.
• 我能用你的电话吗？ Wǒ néng yòng nǐ de diànhuà ma? = Can I use your phone? (Asking permission)

🐼 能 is your go-to for “is it possible?” or “am I allowed?” 会 vs 能 – Short Quiz:

• 会: “Can” because of SKILL!
  我会做饭。 (I can cook.)
• 能: “Can” because ALLOWED or POSSIBLE.
  我今天不能来。 (I can’t come today.)

Now, time to see if you’re a 会/能 hero!

1. Lili (huì) 说英语。
Lili can (knows how to) speak English.

2. Jianguo (néng) 来吗？
Can Jianguo come? (Is it possible?)

3. 我不 (huì) 打篮球。
I can’t (don’t know how to) play basketball.

4. 你明天 (néng) 去商店吗？
Can you (are you able to) go to the shop tomorrow?

5. Xiaotong (huì) 写汉字。
Xiaotong can (knows how to) write Chinese characters.

6. 今天我 (bù néng) 去公园。
Today I can’t go to the park. (It’s not possible.)

7. Haoran (huì) 弹钢琴。
Haoran can (knows how to) play the piano.

8. Xiulan (bù néng) 喝咖啡。
Xiulan can’t (is not able to) drink coffee. (Maybe it’s too late!)

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