Difference between revisions of "Expressing ability or possibility with "neng""
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Grammar Box}} | {{Grammar Box}} | ||
| − | A primer on using 能 to express ability or possibility. | + | A primer on using 能 (néng) to express ability or possibility. |
== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
| − | 能 indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously | + | 能 indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously learned or studied. |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
| − | When used with activities that are consciously | + | When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 generally means that circumstances do not allow execution of the action. |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
Revision as of 08:51, 28 January 2013
-
Level
-
Similar to
-
Used for
-
Keywords
A primer on using 能 (néng) to express ability or possibility.
Contents
Structure
The verb 能 is used to express either ability or possibility. The structure is:
Subject + 能 + Verb + Object
Examples
能 indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously learned or studied.
- 我 能 吃 四十 个 饺子。I can eat 40 dumplings.
- 我 能 听懂 东北话。I can understand Northeastern dialect.
- 我 不能 接受 这种 条件。I can't accept these conditions.
- 星期天 十 点 你 能 来 吗？Can you come at 10 o'clock on Sunday?
Examples
When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 generally means that circumstances do not allow execution of the action.
- 上课 的 时候 不 能 说 英文。 (my teacher has forbidden me from speaking English)
- 我 不 能 游泳。(the speaker is ill)
- 我 能 买 这 个 玩具 吗？(the speaker is afraid his parents won't agree)
Other usages
From these examples we can see such circumstances might be obtaining someone's consent or the speaker's health. 会 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 can express possibility, it is often used to form polite questions, something like "would it be possible" in English:
- 你 能 帮 我 吗?Could you help me?
- 你 能 不 能 给 我 那 本书？Can you give me that book?
- 我 能 问 你 一 个 问题 吗？Can I ask you a question?
See also
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
