Difference between revisions of "Expressing a learned skill with "hui""

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The verb 会 can be used to express ability that has been learned, i.e. a skill. In this case 会 is an [[auxiliary verb]].
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{{Grammar Box}}
  
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== Structure ==
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The word 会 (huì) can be used to express an ability that has been learned (a skill). In this case 会 (huì) is an [[auxiliary verb]].
  
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The basic structure for 会 is:
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== Basic Usage ==
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=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
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Subject + 会 + Verb + Object
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Subj. + 会 + Verb + Obj.
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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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.
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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.
  
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Some examples:
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
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* 他 <em>会</em> 说 中文。
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* 他 <em>会</em> 说 中文。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>huì</em> shuō Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">He can speak Chinese.</span>
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* 我 <em>会</em> 开车。
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* 我 <em>会</em> 写 汉字。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>huì</em> xiě Hànzì.</span><span class="trans">I can write Chinese characters.</span>
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* 你 <em>会</em> 做 好吃的 菜。
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* 你 <em>会</em> 做饭 吗？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>huì</em> zuòfàn ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you cook food？</span>
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* 她 <em>会</em> 踢 足球。
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* 狗 <em>会</em> 唱 歌 吗？<span class="pinyin">Gǒu <em>huì</em> chànggē ma?</span><span class="trans">Can dogs sing？</span>
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* 爸爸 <em>会</em> 开车。<span class="pinyin">Bàba <em>huì</em> kāichē.</span><span class="trans"> Dad can drive.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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== Negating 会 sentences ==
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== Negating 会 (huì) Sentences ==
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=== Structure ===
  
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会 sentences are [[Negation|negated]] with 不, which is inserted in front of 会:
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会 (huì) sentences are [[Standard negation with "bu"|negated with 不 (bù)]], which is inserted in front of 会 (huì):
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
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Subject + 不 + 会 + Verb + Object
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Subj. + 不 + 会 + Verb + Obj.
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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Again, this is the simplest way to express the lack of a learned ability. Some examples:
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Again, this is the simplest way to express the lack of a learned ability. So while "can't" is a natural translation for "不会" (bù huì) in English, "don't know how to" is equally correct (and perhaps more helpful).
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Also, due to a [http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/pronunciation/Tone_change_rules tone change rule] for "不" (bù), the phrase "不会" (bù huì) is actually pronounced "bú huì."
  
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
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* 我 <em>不</em> <strong>会</strong> 做饭。
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* 我 <em>不会</em> 说 英文。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ <em>bù huì</em> shuō Yīngwén.</span><span class="trans">I can't speak English.</span>
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* 我们 <em>不</em> <strong>会</strong> 说 德语。
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* 妈妈 <em>不会</em> 做 中国 菜。<span class="pinyin">Māma <em>bù huì</em> zuò Zhōngguó cài.</span><span class="trans">Mom can't cook Chinese food.</span>
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* 他 <em>不</em> <em>会</em> 拉 小提琴。
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* 你 <em>不会</em>  游泳 吗？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ <em>bù huì</em> yóuyǒng ma?</span><span class="trans">You can't swim?</span>
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* 我 奶奶 <em>不会</em> 用 电脑。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ nǎinai <em>bù huì</em> yòng diànnǎo.</span><span class="trans">My grandmother can't use a computer.</span>
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* 你 <em>不会</em> 开车 吗？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>bù huì</em> kāichē ma?</span><span class="trans">You can't drive a car?</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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Note that if we say 我不能说中文 (wǒ bù néng shuō Zhōngwén), the speaker is saying that he can't speak Chinese [[Expressing ability or possibility with "neng"|for some reason other than his own ability]], perhaps because speaking Chinese in English class is forbidden.
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==See also==
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*[[Expressing ability or possibility with "neng"]]
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== Sources and further reading ==
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{{Source|HSK Standard Course 1|42}}
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{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|219-20}}
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{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)|160-1, 200}}
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{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)|185-7, 228}}
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[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
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{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}}
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{{Used for|Expressing ability}}
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{{Basic Grammar|会|A1|会 + Verb|他 <em>会 说</em> 中文 。|grammar point|ASGRHM0E}}
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{{Similar|Expressing ability or possibility with "neng"}}
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{{Similar|Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"}} 
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{{POS|Verbs}}
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{{Subprop|Auxiliary verbs}}
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{{Translation|Can}}
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{{Translation|Able}}

Latest revision as of 09:21, 20 April 2021

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

Basic Usage

Structure

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 zuòfàn 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 (huì) Sentences

Structure

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

Subj. + 不 + 会 + Verb + Obj.

Again, this is the simplest way to express the lack of a learned ability. So while "can't" is a natural translation for "不会" (bù huì) in English, "don't know how to" is equally correct (and perhaps more helpful).

Also, due to a tone change rule for "不" (bù), the phrase "不会" (bù huì) is actually pronounced "bú huì."

Examples

  • 我 不会 说 英文。 Wǒ bù huì shuō Yīngwén.I can't speak English.
  • 妈妈 不会 做 中国 菜。Māma bù huì zuò Zhōngguó cài.Mom can't cook Chinese food.
  • 你 不会 游泳 吗？ Nǐ bù huì yóuyǒng ma?You can't swim?
  • 我 奶奶 不会 用 电脑。Wǒ nǎinai bù huì yòng diànnǎo.My grandmother can't use a computer.
  • 你 不会 开车 吗？Nǐ bù huì kāichē ma?You can't drive a car?

Note that if we say 我不能说中文 (wǒ bù néng 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

Sources and further reading

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