Difference between revisions of "Expressing ability or possibility with "neng""
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== Expressing Possibility == | == Expressing Possibility == | ||
| − | When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 (néng) generally means that circumstances do not allow execution of the action. In other words, it's ''not possible.'' | + | When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 (néng) generally means that circumstances do not allow execution of the action. In other words, it's ''not possible.'' |
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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| − | * | + | * 一 千 块 <em>能</em> 买 一 个 手机 吗？<span class="pinyin">Yīqiān kuài <em>néng</em> mǎi yīgè shǒujī ma?</span><span class="trans">Can one thousand kuai buy a cellphone?/Can I buy a cellphone with one thousand kuai?</span> |
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Revision as of 08:31, 18 September 2015
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能 (néng) is another Chinese word that is often translated as "can." However, it has a slightly different meaning than the others. 能 (néng) is used to express ability or possibility of doing something. This article will further explain its use.
Contents
Expressing Ability
能 (néng) indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously learned or studied.
Structure
The structure to use 能 (néng) to express "ability" is:
Subj. + 能 + Verb + Obj.
Examples
- 我 能 吃 四 十 个 饺子。I can eat 40 dumplings.
- 他 能 工作 24 个 小时。He can work 24 hours.
- 你 能 帮 我 找到 他 吗？ Can you help me find him?
- 你 的 手机 能 上网 吗？Can your cellphone go on the internet?
- 一 岁 的 宝宝 能 说话 吗？Can a one year old baby talk?
Expressing Possibility
When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 (néng) generally means that circumstances do not allow execution of the action. In other words, it's not possible.
Structure
The structure to use 能 (néng) to express possibility is exactly the same:
Subj. + 能 + Verb + Obj.
Examples
- 一 千 块 能 买 一 个 手机 吗？Can one thousand kuai buy a cellphone?/Can I buy a cellphone with one thousand kuai?
Other usages
From these examples we can see such circumstances might be pertaining to getting someone's consent or reliant on the speaker's health. 会 (huì) can be used instead if the speaker wishes to express that they are able to execute an action requiring a consciously studied skill.
Because 能 (néng) can express possibility, it is often used to form polite questions, something like "would it be possible" in English:
Examples
- 你 能 给 我 一杯 水 吗?Could you give me a glass of water?
- 你们 能 小 声 一点 吗？Could you lower your voice down?
- 我 能 问 你 一 个 问题 吗？Could I ask you a question?
- 我 能 坐 在 这里 吗？Could I sit here?
- 你 能不能 告诉 我 她 的 手机号码？Could I tell me her cellphone number?
See also
- Expressing permission with "keyi"
- Expressing a learned skill with "hui"
- Comparing "hui" "neng" "keyi"
Sources and further reading
Websites
- Sinosplice: Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram
Books
- 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) →buy
- New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 185-7) →buy
