Difference between revisions of "Comparing "hui," "neng," "keyi""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
This is one of the trickiest comparisons, as 会 (huì), 能 (néng), and 可以 (kěyǐ) are often translated as "can." Sometimes they are explained as: 会 means "know how to", 能 means "to be able to", and 可以 means "to have permission to." Actually, they overlap a little bit. To visualize the differences and similarities please refer to [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram| Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram].  
+
The three [[modal verb]]s 会 (huì), 能 (néng), and 可以 (kěyǐ) are all often translated as "[[can]]" in English. Sometimes they are explained as: 会 means "know how to," 能 means "to be able to," and 可以 means "to have permission to." This is a useful way of thinking about them, but in reality their usage does overlap somewhat.
  
==Basic Meanings==
+
== Basic Meanings ==
  
The words 会 (huì), 能 (néng), and 可以 (kěyǐ) actually overlap a little in meaning. The first step is to understand their basic meanings, though:
+
The words 会, 能, and 可以 actually overlap a little in meaning. The first step is to understand their basic meanings, though:
  
# 会 (huì) can mean "know how to" and can express an action that you had to learn or be trained in to do.  
+
# 会 can mean "know how to" and can express an action that you had to ''learn'' or ''be trained in'' to do.  
# 能 (néng) means "to be able to" and expresses having a certain ability or having obtained a certain minimum requirement.
+
# 能 means "to be able to" and expresses having a certain ''ability'' or having obtained a certain minimum ''requirement''.
# 可以 (kěyǐ) means "may" or "to be allowed to" and expresses having another person's permission.
+
# 可以 means "may" or "to be allowed to" and expresses having another person's ''permission''.
 +
 
 +
As for overlap, this graphic helps explain nicely:
 +
 
 +
[[File:Hui-neng-keyi-venn-diagram.png]]
 +
 
 +
The regions marked by letters are explained in the sections below:
 +
 
 +
* A: ability in the sense of “know how to” (会 is more common than 能)
 +
* B: permission/request (use 能 or 可以)
 +
* C: possibility (use 能 or 可以)
 +
* D: permission not granted (use 不可以)
 +
* E: impossibility (use 不能)
 +
 
 +
== Expressing Ability ==
  
==Expressing Ability==
 
 
Both 会 and 能  can be used to express ability in something.  
 
Both 会 and 能  can be used to express ability in something.  
  
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
会/能 + Verb
+
会/能 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 23: Line 36:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* <em>会</em> 修 电脑。 <span class="trans">He knows how to fix computers.</span>
+
 
* 我 <em></em> 跳舞。 <span class="trans">I know how to dance.</span>
+
*我们 都 <em>会</em> 游泳 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen dōu <em>huì</em> yóuyǒng.</span><span class="trans">We all know how to swim.</span>
* 我 学 了 两 年 才 <em>会</em> 说 一点 汉语。 <span class="trans">I studied for two years before I knew how to speak a little Chinese.</span>
+
*他 不 <em>会</em> 修 电脑 。<span class="pinyin">Tā bù <em>huì</em> xiū diànnǎo.</span><span class="trans">He doesn't know how to fix computers.</span>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 +
<div class="liju">
 +
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <em>会</em> 说 中文 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>huì</em> shuō Zhōngwén ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you speak Chinese?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 不 好意思 ,我 只 <em>会</em> 说 一点 。<span class="pinyin">Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ zhǐ <em>huì</em> shuō yīdiǎn.</span><span class="trans">Sorry, I can only speak a little.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 +
</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*真的 <em>能</em> 吃 三 碗 米饭 吗? <span class="trans">Are you really able to eat three bowls of rice?</span>
+
 
*你 <em>能</em> 记 住 所有 国家 的 名字 吗? <span class="trans">Are you able to remember the names of all countries?</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
*三 个 月 的 小 孩子 不 <em></em> 走路。 <span class="trans">Three month old children are unable to walk.</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>你 <em>能</em> 吃 三 碗 米饭 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>néng</em> chī sān wǎn mǐfàn ma?</span><span class="trans">Are you able to eat three bowls of rice?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 不 <em>能</em> <span class="pinyin"><em>néng</em>.</span><span class="trans">I can't.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 +
== Expressing Permission ==
  
==Expressing Permission==
+
可以 is used to ask for or give permission. However, 能 can also be used to replace 可以 interchangeably.
  
可以 is used to ask for or give permission. However, can also be used to replace 可以 interchangeably.
+
'''Note:''' When a question is asked using 能 or 可以 it can be answered with 不能 or 不可以, meaning no, and only 可以 meaning yes. Chinese don't really answer with just when it comes to permission.  
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
可以/能 + Verb
+
可以 / 能 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我 <em>可以/能</em> 进来 吗? <span class="trans">Am I allowed to enter?</span>
+
 
*你 <em>可以/</em> 帮 我 一下 吗? <span class="trans">Could you help me a bit?</span>  
+
<ul class="dialog">
*不 <em>可以/</em> 带 危险 物品 上车。 <span class="trans">You're not allowed to bring dangerous things in the car.</span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>老师 ,我 <em>可以</em> 早点 走 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Lǎoshī, wǒ <em>kěyǐ</em> zǎo diǎn zǒu ma?</span><span class="trans">Teacher, can I leave a little early?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span>可以 。<span class="pinyin">Bù <em>kěyǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">No, you can't.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 +
<div class="liju">
  
==Talking about the Future==
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 我 <em>能</em> 在 这里 抽烟 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>néng</em> zài zhèlǐ chōuyān ma?</span><span class="trans">Can I smoke here?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 不 <em>能</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bù <em>néng</em>.</span><span class="trans">No, you can't.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
Only 会 can be used to mean something is going to happen. It express something in the future will happen and is often used to express trends or possibilities.
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Expressing Possibility ==
 +
 
 +
能 and 可以 can also be used to express possibility.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
+ Verb
+
可以 / 能 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
+
=== Example  ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 明天 你 <em></em> 来 吗? <span class="trans">Will you come tomorrow?</span>
+
 
* 你 太 过分 了,没 有 人 <em></em> 这么 做。 <span class="trans">You're too excessive, no one will do it like this.</span>
+
*明天 你 <em></em> 早点 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Míngtiān nǐ <em>néng</em> zǎodiǎn lái ma?</span><span class="trans">Is it possible for you to come a little earlier tomorrow?</span>
* 一会儿 <em></em> 下雨 吗? <span class="trans">Will it rain in a minute?</span>
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*<em>可 不 可以</em> 换 时间 ?<span class="pinyin"><em>Kě bu kěyǐ</em> huàn shíjiān?</span><span class="trans">Is it possible to change the time?</span>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==Adding 很 to create emphasis==
+
<div class="liju">
By placing the character 很 (hěn) before 会, it adds emphasis to the level of ability and skill on the action present. 很会 is commonly used to mean 'to be good at" and expresses being very skillful at something, or doing something very well. It can be translated as "really can", as in "you ''really'' can speak Chinese!", in other words, "you are good at speaking Chinese."
+
 
 +
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>外国人 <em>能 不 能</em> 参加 ?<span class="pinyin">Wàiguó rén <em>néng bu néng</em> cānjiā?</span><span class="trans">Is it possible for foreigners to attend?</span></li>
 +
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 不 <em>能</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Bù <em>néng</em>.</span><span class="trans">Not possible.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 +
</div>
  
When 很 is placed in front of 能, the meaning takes on a amazed/surprised tone on the action. Although more rarely used, it emphasis quantity and amount. 很能 is most commonly used with 吃(chī) to eat, and 睡 (shuì) to sleep. It's like the English equivalent of saying you "can really" do something. For example saying that someone "''can really'' sleep" means that they can sleep a lot.
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== Talking about the Future ==
  
'''Note:''' 很可以 is not a phrase and therefore can not be used with 会 to add emphasis.  
+
Only 会 can be used to mean something is going to happen. It expresses that something in the future will happen and is often used to express trends or possibilities.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
很会/很能 + Verb
+
+ Verb / Adj.
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 这 个 女 孩子 <strong>很</strong> <em>会</em> 唱歌。 <span class="trans">This girl can sing really well.</span>
 
* 我 的 妈妈 <strong>很</strong> <em>会</em> 做 饭。<span class="expl"> The mom cooks very well.</span> <span class="trans">My mother really knows how to cook.</span>
 
* 他 <strong>很</strong> <em>会</em> 骗 人。 <span class="trans">He can really deceive people.</span>
 
* 你 <strong>很</strong><em>会</em> 打 羽毛球,以后 应该 当 个 专业 羽毛球 运动员。  <span class="trans"> You can really play badminton well, you should be a professional badminton player when you grow up. </span>
 
  
 +
*他 不 <em>会</em> 跟 你 结婚 。<span class="pinyin">Tā bù <em>huì</em> gēn nǐ jiéhūn.</span><span class="trans">He's not going to marry you.</span>
 +
*你 <em>会</em> 生 我 的 气 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>huì</em> shēng wǒ de qì ma?</span><span class="trans">Will you be mad at me?</span>
 +
*这样 穿 <em>会</em> 好看 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Zhèyàng chuān <em>huì</em> hǎokàn ma?</span><span class="trans">Will I look good if I dress like this?</span>
  
<div class="liju">
 
* 你 <strong>很</strong> <em>能</em> 吃 吗!<span class="expl"> The subject can eat a lot. </span> <span class="trans"> Wow, you really can eat! </span>
 
* 你 <strong>很</strong> <em>能</em> 睡。<span class="expl"> The subject can sleep a lot, for many hours. </span><span class="trans"> You can really sleep. </span>
 
* 他 今天 会 这么 成功 是 因为 他 是 一个 <strong>很</strong><em>能</em> 吃苦 的 人。<span class="trans"> The reason he is so successful today is because he is a person who can handle a lot of burdens.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
<ul>
+
 
<li class="o"> 他很会说话。</li><span class="expl"> The subject has great skill in speaking, he speaks well with high level terms/sentence structure.</span> <span class="trans"> He really knows how to talk.</span>
+
<ul class="dialog">
<li class="x">他很能说话。</li><span class="expl"> The subjects talks a lot. </span><span class="trans"> He can really talk. </span>
+
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 今天 <em>会</em> 下雨 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān <em>huì</em> xiàyǔ ma?</span><span class="trans">Is it going to rain today?</span></li>
<li class="x">他很可以说话。</li>
+
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我看 不 <em>会</em> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ kàn bù <em>huì</em>.</span><span class="trans">I don't think it will.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
</ul>
 +
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
<div class="liju">
+
== Using Adverbs to Add Emphasis ==
<ul>
+
 
<li class="o"> 她很会吃。</li><span class="expl"> The subject has great knowledge about food and its culture, a true connoisseur. </span> <span class="trans"> She really knows how to eat.</span>
+
By placing 很 (hěn) before 会, it adds emphasis to the level of ability and skill on the action presented. 很会 is commonly used to mean "to be good at" and expresses being very skillful at something, or doing something very well. It can be translated as "really know how to," as in "you really know how to speak Chinese!" Another way to put it is, "You are good at speaking Chinese."  
<li class="x">她很能吃。</li><span class="expl"> The subjects eats a lot, a great amount. </expl><span class="trans"> She can really eat. </span>
+
 
<li class="x">她很可以吃。</li>
+
When 很 is placed in front of 能, the meaning takes on a amazed/surprised tone on the action. Although more rarely used, it emphasizes quantity and amount. 很能 is most commonly used with 吃(chī) to eat, and 睡 (shuì) to sleep. It's like the English equivalent of saying you "can really" do something. For example saying that someone "''can really'' sleep" means that they can sleep a lot.
</ul>
+
 
 +
'''Note:''' 很可以 is not a phrase, and therefore this pattern does not apply to 可以.
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
 +
 
 +
<div class="jiegou">
 +
很 + 会/能 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Examples of similar expressions, but with different meanings ==
+
Other [[degree adverb]]s like 真 (zhēn), 太 (tài), 这么 (zhème), etc. can also be used in place of 很.
  
<div class="liju">
+
=== Examples ===
*我 现在 <em>能</em> 跳舞 了,我 的 脚 伤 好 了。 <span class="trans">I am able to dance now, my foot is better. (The condition changed)</span>
 
*我 现在 <em>会</em> 跳舞 了,我 学 了 两 个 月。 <span class="trans">I know how to dance now, I studied for two months. (It's a learned skill)</span>
 
*我 现在 <em>可以</em> 跳舞 了,我 爸爸 同意 了。 <span class="trans">I'm allowed to dance now, my dad agreed. (The dad gave permission)</span>
 
</div>
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我 们 学 了 半 年 中文,现在 我<em>会</em>说 一 点 中 文。<span class="trans"> We have learned half a year of Chinese, now I know how to speak a little bit of Chinese (The speaker now knows a new language) </span>
 
*你 <em>能</em> 用 中文 演讲 吗?<span class="trans"> Can you use Chinese to make a speech? (The speaker is asking if that person has the ability to) </span>
 
*我 们 已 经 说 了 两 个 小 时 英文,现在 <em>可 以</em> 说 中文 吗?<span class="trans"> We have already spoken two hours of English, can we speak Chinese now? (The speaker is asking for permission)</span>
 
</div>
 
  
 +
*他 <strong>很</strong><em>能</em> 说 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>hěn</strong> <em>néng</em> shuō.</span><span class="trans">He's quite a talker.</span>
 +
*我 妈妈 <strong>很</strong> <em>会</em> 做饭 。<span class="expl">My mom cooks very well.</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ māma <strong>hěn</strong> <em>huì</em> zuòfàn.</span><span class="trans">My mother really knows how to cook.</span>
 +
*她 才 五岁 ,但是 <strong>很</strong> <em>会</em> 说话 。<span class="expl">The subject has good speaking skills.</span><span class="pinyin">Tā cái wǔ suì, dànshì <strong>hěn</strong> <em>huì</em> shuōhuà.</span><span class="trans">She's only five but she's a smooth talker.</span>
 +
*这个 女生 <strong>很</strong> <em>会</em> 打扮 。<span class="pinyin">Zhège nǚshēng <strong>hěn</strong> <em>huì</em> dǎban.</span><span class="trans">This girl knows how to dress up really well.</span>
  
<div class="lijiu">
 
*我 <em>会</em> 做 中国 菜。<span class="trans"> I know how to make Chinese food. </span>
 
*你 <em>能</em> 吃 辣 的 中国 菜 吗?<span class="trans">Can you eat (do you have the ability to) eat spicy Chinese food? </span>
 
*我 们 <em>可以</em> 去 吃中国 菜 吗?<span class="trans">Can we go eat Chinese food? (Asking for permission) </span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==Similarities==
+
Note that 很能说 means someone talks ''a lot'', 很会说 means they ''have a way with words'', but 很可以说 is just bad Chinese.
  
会, 能, 可以 share a few  essential rules. The first common rule shared by these three is that none of them can be followed by an [[aspectual particle]].
+
Examples used with other adverbs:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
<ul>
+
 
<li class="o"> 他会做饭。</li> <span class="trans"> He knows how to eat.</span>
+
*他 <strong>太</strong> <em>能</em> 睡 了 。<span class="expl">The subject can sleep a lot, for many hours.</span><span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>tài</strong> <em>néng</em> shuì le.</span><span class="trans">He can really sleep.</span>
<li class="x">他会过做饭。</li>
+
*你 <strong>真</strong><em>能</em> 吃 !<span class="expl">The subject can eat a lot.</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ <strong>zhēn</strong> <em>néng</em> chī!</span><span class="trans">Wow, you really can eat!</span>
</ul>
+
*中国 人 <strong>真</strong><em>会</em> 吃 ! <span class="expl">The subject has great knowledge about food and its culture, a true connoisseur.</span><span class="pinyin">Zhōngguó rén <strong>zhēn</strong> <em>huì</em> chī!</span><span class="trans">Chinese people can really eat.</span>
 +
*没想到 你 <strong>这么</strong><em>能</em> 吃苦 。<span class="pinyin">Méixiǎngdào nǐ <strong> zhème</strong> <em> néng</em> chīkǔ.</span><span class="trans">I didn't expect you to be able to handle so much hardship.</span>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Secondly, 会, 能, and 可以 have to come before any [[prepositional phrase|prepositional phrases]] or descriptive [[adverbial]] modifiers in the sentence.
+
== Similar Expression with Different Meanings ==
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
<ul>
 
<li class="o">你可以把课本再看一次,看完以后再来考试。<span class="trans">You can read over the textbook again, when you're done come back to take the test.</span></li>
 
<li class="x">你把课本可以再看一次, 看完以后再来考试。</li>
 
<li class="o">他们会努力地读一读。<span class="trans">They will seriously read it over.</span></li>
 
<li class="x">他们努力地会读一读。</li>
 
</ul>
 
</div>
 
  
== Example dialog ==
+
*我 的 脚 好 了 ,现在 又 <em>能</em> 跳舞 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de jiǎo hǎo le, xiànzài yòu <em>néng</em> tiàowǔ le.</span><span class="trans">I am able to dance now since my foot is better. (The condition changed)</span>
 +
*我 学 了 两 个 月 ,现在 我 <em>会</em> 跳舞 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ xué le liǎng gè yuè, xiànzài wǒ <em>huì</em> tiàowǔ le.</span><span class="trans">I studied for two months. I know how to dance now. (It's a learned skill)</span>
 +
*我 爸妈 同意 了 ,现在 我 <em>可以</em> 跳舞 了 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bàmā tóngyì le, xiànzài wǒ <em>kěyǐ</em> tiàowǔ le.</span><span class="trans">My parents agreed. I'm allowed to dance now. (Parents gave their permission)</span>
  
<div class="liju">
 
* A: 我 <em>可以</em> 和 他们 一起 踢 足球 吗? <span class="trans">Can I play soccer with them? (Am I allowed?)</span>
 
* B: 你 的 腿 还 没 好,现在 你 不 <em>能</em> 踢。 <span class="trans">Your foot still isn't better. You can't go right now. (His rule prohibits it)</span>
 
* A: 它 <em>会</em> 好 吗? <span class="trans">Will it get better? (会 indicates the future)</span>
 
* B: 嗯,你 放 心 吧,很 快 就 <em>会</em> 好 的。 <span class="trans"> Yes, don't worry, it will get better soon.</span>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
For a good visualization on how these three overlap, check out the [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram| Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram].
+
Note that none of the three can be followed by the aspectual particle 过.
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 +
 
* [[Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"]]
 
* [[Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"]]
 
* [[Expressing a learned skill]]
 
* [[Expressing a learned skill]]
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
*[[对外汉语教学语法释疑201例]] (p.55,p.65) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1 →buy]
+
 
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 219-20) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
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{{Source|对外汉语教学语法释疑201例|55, 65}}
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{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|219-20}}
  
 
=== Dictionaries ===
 
=== Dictionaries ===
* [[现代汉语词典(第5版)]] (能p.989, 可以p.773,会p.610) [http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1 →buy]
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{{Source|现代汉语词典(第5版)|989, 773, 610}}
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=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
* sinosplice: http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram
 
  
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* [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram Sinosplice: Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram]
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[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|会|B1|会 vs 能 vs 可以|我 <em>会</em> 跳舞。我 <em>能</em> 跳舞。我 <em>可以</em> 跳舞。|grammar point|ASGZL717}}
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{{Basic Grammar|会|B1|会 vs. 能 vs. 可以|我 <em>会</em> 跳舞 。这里 不 <em>能</em> 跳舞 。我 <em>可以</em> 请 你 跳舞 吗 ?|grammar point|ASGZL717}}
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 
{{Rel char|能}}
 
{{Rel char|能}}
 
{{Rel char|可以}}
 
{{Rel char|可以}}
{{Rel char|可}}
 
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing ability}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing ability}}
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{{Translation|can}}
 
{{Translation|can}}
 
{{Translation|able}}
 
{{Translation|able}}
{{Comparison|Auxiliary Words}}
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{{Comparison|Auxiliary Verbs}}

Latest revision as of 08:55, 21 April 2021

The three modal verbs 会 (huì), 能 (néng), and 可以 (kěyǐ) are all often translated as "can" in English. Sometimes they are explained as: 会 means "know how to," 能 means "to be able to," and 可以 means "to have permission to." This is a useful way of thinking about them, but in reality their usage does overlap somewhat.

Basic Meanings

The words 会, 能, and 可以 actually overlap a little in meaning. The first step is to understand their basic meanings, though:

  1. 会 can mean "know how to" and can express an action that you had to learn or be trained in to do.
  2. 能 means "to be able to" and expresses having a certain ability or having obtained a certain minimum requirement.
  3. 可以 means "may" or "to be allowed to" and expresses having another person's permission.

As for overlap, this graphic helps explain nicely:

Hui-neng-keyi-venn-diagram.png

The regions marked by letters are explained in the sections below:

  • A: ability in the sense of “know how to” (会 is more common than 能)
  • B: permission/request (use 能 or 可以)
  • C: possibility (use 能 or 可以)
  • D: permission not granted (use 不可以)
  • E: impossibility (use 不能)

Expressing Ability

Both 会 and 能 can be used to express ability in something.

Structure

会/能 + Verb

Examples

  • 我们 都 游泳 。Wǒmen dōu huì yóuyǒng.We all know how to swim.
  • 他 不 修 电脑 。Tā bù huì xiū diànnǎo.He doesn't know how to fix computers.
  • A: 说 中文 吗 ?huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?Can you speak Chinese?
  • B: 不 好意思 ,我 只 说 一点 。Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ zhǐ huì shuō yīdiǎn.Sorry, I can only speak a little.
  • A: 吃 三 碗 米饭 吗 ?néng chī sān wǎn mǐfàn ma?Are you able to eat three bowls of rice?
  • B:néng.I can't.

Expressing Permission

可以 is used to ask for or give permission. However, 能 can also be used to replace 可以 interchangeably.

Note: When a question is asked using 能 or 可以 it can be answered with 不能 or 不可以, meaning no, and only 可以 meaning yes. Chinese don't really answer with just 能 when it comes to permission.

Structure

可以 / 能 + Verb

Examples

  • A:老师 ,我 可以 早点 走 吗 ?Lǎoshī, wǒ kěyǐ zǎo diǎn zǒu ma?Teacher, can I leave a little early?
  • B:不 可以 。kěyǐ.No, you can't.
  • A: 在 这里 抽烟 吗 ?néng zài zhèlǐ chōuyān ma?Can I smoke here?
  • B:néng.No, you can't.

Expressing Possibility

能 and 可以 can also be used to express possibility.

Structure

可以 / 能 + Verb

Example

  • 明天 你 早点 来 吗 ?Míngtiān nǐ néng zǎodiǎn lái ma?Is it possible for you to come a little earlier tomorrow?
  • 可 不 可以 换 时间 ?Kě bu kěyǐ huàn shíjiān?Is it possible to change the time?
  • A:外国人 能 不 能 参加 ?Wàiguó rén néng bu néng cānjiā?Is it possible for foreigners to attend?
  • B:néng.Not possible.

Talking about the Future

Only 会 can be used to mean something is going to happen. It expresses that something in the future will happen and is often used to express trends or possibilities.

Structure

会 + Verb / Adj.

Examples

  • 他 不 跟 你 结婚 。Tā bù huì gēn nǐ jiéhūn.He's not going to marry you.
  • 生 我 的 气 吗 ?huì shēng wǒ de qì ma?Will you be mad at me?
  • 这样 穿 好看 吗 ?Zhèyàng chuān huì hǎokàn ma?Will I look good if I dress like this?
  • A: 今天 下雨 吗 ?Jīntiān huì xiàyǔ ma?Is it going to rain today?
  • B: 我看 不 Wǒ kàn bù huì.I don't think it will.

Using Adverbs to Add Emphasis

By placing 很 (hěn) before 会, it adds emphasis to the level of ability and skill on the action presented. 很会 is commonly used to mean "to be good at" and expresses being very skillful at something, or doing something very well. It can be translated as "really know how to," as in "you really know how to speak Chinese!" Another way to put it is, "You are good at speaking Chinese."

When 很 is placed in front of 能, the meaning takes on a amazed/surprised tone on the action. Although more rarely used, it emphasizes quantity and amount. 很能 is most commonly used with 吃(chī) to eat, and 睡 (shuì) to sleep. It's like the English equivalent of saying you "can really" do something. For example saying that someone "can really sleep" means that they can sleep a lot.

Note: 很可以 is not a phrase, and therefore this pattern does not apply to 可以.

Structure

很 + 会/能 + Verb

Other degree adverbs like 真 (zhēn), 太 (tài), 这么 (zhème), etc. can also be used in place of 很.

Examples

  • 说 。hěn néng shuō.He's quite a talker.
  • 我 妈妈 做饭 。My mom cooks very well.Wǒ māma hěn huì zuòfàn.My mother really knows how to cook.
  • 她 才 五岁 ,但是 说话 。The subject has good speaking skills.Tā cái wǔ suì, dànshì hěn huì shuōhuà.She's only five but she's a smooth talker.
  • 这个 女生 打扮 。Zhège nǚshēng hěn huì dǎban.This girl knows how to dress up really well.

Note that 很能说 means someone talks a lot, 很会说 means they have a way with words, but 很可以说 is just bad Chinese.

Examples used with other adverbs:

  • 睡 了 。The subject can sleep a lot, for many hours.tài néng shuì le.He can really sleep.
  • 吃 !The subject can eat a lot.zhēn néng chī!Wow, you really can eat!
  • 中国 人 吃 ! The subject has great knowledge about food and its culture, a true connoisseur.Zhōngguó rén zhēn huì chī!Chinese people can really eat.
  • 没想到 你 这么 吃苦 。Méixiǎngdào nǐ zhème néng chīkǔ.I didn't expect you to be able to handle so much hardship.

Similar Expression with Different Meanings

  • 我 的 脚 好 了 ,现在 又 跳舞 了 。Wǒ de jiǎo hǎo le, xiànzài yòu néng tiàowǔ le.I am able to dance now since my foot is better. (The condition changed)
  • 我 学 了 两 个 月 ,现在 我 跳舞 了 。Wǒ xué le liǎng gè yuè, xiànzài wǒ huì tiàowǔ le.I studied for two months. I know how to dance now. (It's a learned skill)
  • 我 爸妈 同意 了 ,现在 我 可以 跳舞 了 。Wǒ bàmā tóngyì le, xiànzài wǒ kěyǐ tiàowǔ le.My parents agreed. I'm allowed to dance now. (Parents gave their permission)

Note that none of the three can be followed by the aspectual particle 过.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books

Dictionaries

Websites