Expressing a learned skill with "hui"

The verb 会 (huì) can be used to express an ability that has been learned (a skill). In this case 会 (huì) is an auxiliary verb.

Structure

The basic structure for 会 (huì) is:

Subj. + 会 + Verb + Obj.

This structure is the easiest way to express all kinds of skills, from languages, to sports, to skills in daily life such as cooking, and driving.

Examples

• 他 会 说 中文。Tā huì shuō Zhōngwén.He can speak Chinese.
• 我 会 写 汉字。Wǒ huì xiě hànzì.I can write Chinese characters.
• 你 会 做 饭 吗？Nǐ huì zuò fàn ma?Can you cook food？
• 狗 会 唱 歌 吗？Gǒu huì chànggē ma?Can dogs sing？
• 爸爸 会 开车。Bàba huì kāichē. Dad can drive.

Negating 会 sentences

Structure

会 (huì) sentences are negated with 不 (bù), which is inserted in front of 会 (huì):

Subject + 不 + 会 + Verb + Object

Again, this is the simplest way to express the lack of a learned ability. Also, due to tone change rules for "不" (bù), the phrase "不会" (bù huì) is actually read as "bú huì".

Examples

• 他 不会 说 中文。Tā bù huì shuō Zhōngwén.He can't speak Chinese.
• 我 不会 开车。Wǒ bù huì kāichē.I can't drive.
• 我 不会 做 饭。Wǒ bù huì zuò fàn.I can't cook food.
• 她 不会 做 中国 菜。Tā bù huì zuò Zhōngguó cài.She can't cook Chinese food.
• 我 不会 画画。Wǒ bù huì huà huà.I can't paint.
• 我 不会 游泳。Wǒ bù huì yóuyǒng.I can't swim.
• 我 奶奶 不会 用 电脑。Wǒ nǎinai bù huì yòng diànnǎo.My grandmother can't use a computer.
• 狗 不会 唱 歌。Gǒu bù huì chànggē.Dogs can't sing.
• 你 不会 喝 酒 吗？Nǐ bù huì hējiǔ ma?Can't you drink alcohol?
• 你 不会 做 三明治 吗？Nǐ bù huì zuò sānmíngzhì ma?Can't you make a sandwich?

Note that if we say 我不能说中文 (wǒ bùnéng shuō Zhōngwén), the speaker is saying that he can't speak Chinese for some reason other than his own ability, perhaps because speaking Chinese in English class is forbidden.

See also

• Expressing ability or possibility

Sources and further reading

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 219-20) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 160-1, 200) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 185-7, 228) →buy