Difference between revisions of "Expressing ability or possibility with "neng""
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* 一岁 的 宝宝 <em>能</em> 跑？<span class="trans"> </span> | * 一岁 的 宝宝 <em>能</em> 跑？<span class="trans"> </span> | ||
* 你 <em>能</em> 喝 十 杯 啤酒？<span class="trans"> </span> | * 你 <em>能</em> 喝 十 杯 啤酒？<span class="trans"> </span> | ||
| − | * 我 | + | * 我 知道 怎么做，我<em>能</em> 帮 你。<span class="trans"> </span> |
| − | * 我 的 手机 不<em>能</em> 上网。<span class="trans"> </span> | + | * 我 的 旧 手机 不 <em>能</em> 上网。<span class="trans"> </span> |
| − | + | * 中文 这么 难，你 <em>能</em> 学 好 吗？<span class="trans"> </span> | |
</div> | </div> | ||
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=== Examples === | === 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." | + | 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." It can be instead of "可以". |
<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
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* 我 不 <em>能</em> 那么 早 上班。<span class="trans"> </span> | * 我 不 <em>能</em> 那么 早 上班。<span class="trans"> </span> | ||
* 你 <em>能</em> 帮 我 买 个 东西 吗？<span class="trans"> </span> | * 你 <em>能</em> 帮 我 买 个 东西 吗？<span class="trans"> </span> | ||
| + | |||
</div> | </div> | ||
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{{Used for|Expressing ability}} | {{Used for|Expressing ability}} | ||
{{Used for|Expressing possibility}} | {{Used for|Expressing possibility}} | ||
| − | {{Basic Grammar|能|A1|能 + V| | + | {{Basic Grammar|能|A1|能 + V|中文 这么 难，你 <em>能</em> 学 好 吗？|grammar point|ASG9PQ40}} |
{{Similar|Expressing permission}} | {{Similar|Expressing permission}} | ||
{{Similar|Expressing a learned skill}} | {{Similar|Expressing a learned skill}} | ||
Revision as of 03:29, 6 September 2013
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Keywords
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.
- 我的老板 能 工作 24 个 小时。
- 一岁 的 宝宝 能 跑？
- 你 能 喝 十 杯 啤酒？
- 我 知道 怎么做，我能 帮 你。
- 我 的 旧 手机 不 能 上网。
- 中文 这么 难，你 能 学 好 吗？
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." It can be instead of "可以".
- 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?
- 我 不能 要 你 的 钱。I can't accept your money.
- 明天 你 能 做 完 吗？
- 星期天 十 点 你 能 来 吗？Can you come at 10 o'clock on Sunday?
- 我 不 能 那么 早 上班。
- 你 能 帮 我 买 个 东西 吗？
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 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
