Difference between revisions of "Expressing ability or possibility with "neng""
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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 is used to express ability or possibility of doing something. This article will further explain its use. | |
== Expressing Ability == | == Expressing Ability == | ||
Revision as of 01:52, 3 June 2013
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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 is used to express ability or possibility of doing something. This article will further explain its use.
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
