Difference between revisions of "Expressing ability or possibility with "neng""
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== Expressing Ability == | == Expressing Ability == | ||
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| + | 能 (néng) indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously learned or studied. | ||
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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Subject + 能 + Verb + Object | Subject + 能 + Verb + Object | ||
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=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
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== Expressing Possibility == | == Expressing Possibility == | ||
| − | + | When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 (néng) 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." | |
=== Structure === | === Structure === | ||
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| + | The structure to use 能 (néng) to express possibility is exactly the same: | ||
<div class="jiegou"> | <div class="jiegou"> | ||
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=== Examples === | === Examples === | ||
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Because 能 (néng) can express possibility, it is often used to form polite questions, something like "would it be possible" in English: | Because 能 (néng) can express possibility, it is often used to form polite questions, something like "would it be possible" in English: | ||
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| + | === Examples === | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| − | *[[Expressing permission]] | + | *[[Expressing permission with "keyi"]] |
| − | *[[Expressing a learned skill]] | + | *[[Expressing a learned skill with "hui"]] |
*[[Comparing "hui" "neng" "keyi"]] | *[[Comparing "hui" "neng" "keyi"]] | ||
Revision as of 05:22, 19 June 2015
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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 (néng) is used to express ability or possibility of doing something. This article will further explain its use.
Contents
Expressing Ability
能 (néng) indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously learned or studied.
Structure
The structure to use 能 (néng) to express "ability" is:
Subject + 能 + Verb + Object
Examples
- 我 能 吃 四 十 个 饺子。I can eat 40 dumplings.
- 你 能 做 什么？What can you do?
- 我 的 老板 能 工作 24 个 小时。My boss can work 24 hours.
- 一 岁 的 宝宝 能 跑？Can a one year old baby run?
- 你 能 喝 十 杯 啤酒？Can you drink 10 glasses of beer?
- 我 能 帮 你。 I can help you.
- 我 的 手机 能 上网。My cellphone can go on the internet.
- 你 能 学 好 中文 吗？Can you study Chinese well?
- 这 个 包 能 放 iPad 吗？Can you put an iPad in this bag?
- 你 能 自己 做 这 些 事 吗？Can you do these things by yourself?
Expressing Possibility
When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 (néng) 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."
Structure
The structure to use 能 (néng) to express possibility is exactly the same:
Subject + 能 + Verb + Object
Examples
- 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 给 你 钱。I can't give you money.
- 明天 你 能 做 完 吗？Can you finish tomorrow?
- 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。I can't work that early.
- 你 能 帮 我 买 个 东西 吗？Can you help me buy something?
- 一 千 块 能 买 一 个 手机 吗？Can one thousand kuai buy a cellphone?/Can I buy a cellphone with one thousand kuai?
- 这里 不 能 打车。I can't get a taxi here.
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 (huì) 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 (néng) can express possibility, it is often used to form polite questions, something like "would it be possible" in English:
Examples
- 你 能 帮 我 吗?Could you help me?
- 你 能 不 能 给 我 那 本书？Could you give me that book?
- 我 能 问 你 一 个 问题 吗？Could I ask you a question?
See also
- Expressing permission with "keyi"
- Expressing a learned skill with "hui"
- Comparing "hui" "neng" "keyi"
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
