Difference between revisions of "Expressing ability or possibility with "neng""
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A primer on using 能 (néng) to express ability or possibility. | A primer on using 能 (néng) to express ability or possibility. | ||
| − | == Structure == | + | == Expressing Ability == |
| + | |||
| + | === Structure === | ||
The verb 能 is used to express either ''ability'' or ''possibility''. The structure is: | The verb 能 is used to express either ''ability'' or ''possibility''. The structure is: | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
| − | == Examples == | + | === Examples === |
能 indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously learned or studied. | 能 indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously learned or studied. | ||
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</div> | </div> | ||
| − | == | + | == Expressing Possibility == |
| − | When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 generally means that circumstances do not allow execution of the action. | + | The structure is exactly the same. |
| + | |||
| + | === Examples === | ||
| + | |||
| + | When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 generally means that circumstances do not allow execution of the action. In other words, it's ''not possible''. Sometimes this is a bit of an exaggeration and actually just means it's "not allowed." | ||
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | * 上课 的 时候 不 <em>能</em> 说 英文。<span class="expl"> (my teacher has forbidden me from speaking English)</span> | + | * 上课 的 时候 不 <em>能</em> 说 英文。<span class="expl"> (my teacher has forbidden me from speaking English.)</span><span class="trans">In class, you can't speak English.</span> |
| − | * | + | * 在 这里 不 <em>能</em> 游泳。<span class="expl">(it's not allowed, or not possible for other reasons)</span><span class="trans">You can't swim here.</span> |
| − | * 我 <em>能</em> 买 这 个 玩具 吗？<span class="expl">(the speaker is afraid his parents won't agree) </span> | + | * 我 <em>能</em> 买 这 个 玩具 吗？<span class="expl">(the speaker is afraid his parents won't agree, or that it's not for sale) </span><span class="trans">Can I buy this toy?</span> |
</div> | </div> | ||
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* 你 <em>能 不 能</em> 给 我 那 本书？<span class="trans">Can you give me that book?</span> | * 你 <em>能 不 能</em> 给 我 那 本书？<span class="trans">Can you give me that book?</span> | ||
* 我 <em>能</em> 问 你 一 个 问题 吗？<span class="trans">Can I ask you a question?</span> | * 我 <em>能</em> 问 你 一 个 问题 吗？<span class="trans">Can I ask you a question?</span> | ||
| + | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| + | |||
*[[Expressing permission]] | *[[Expressing permission]] | ||
*[[Expressing a learned skill]] | *[[Expressing a learned skill]] | ||
Revision as of 08:55, 28 January 2013
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A primer on using 能 (néng) to express ability or possibility.
Contents
Expressing Ability
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?
Expressing Possibility
The structure is exactly the same.
Examples
When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 generally means that circumstances do not allow execution of the action. In other words, it's not possible. Sometimes this is a bit of an exaggeration and actually just means it's "not allowed."
- 上课 的 时候 不 能 说 英文。 (my teacher has forbidden me from speaking English.)In class, you can't speak English.
- 在 这里 不 能 游泳。(it's not allowed, or not possible for other reasons)You can't swim here.
- 我 能 买 这 个 玩具 吗？(the speaker is afraid his parents won't agree, or that it's not for sale) Can I buy this toy?
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
