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

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{{Grammar Box}}
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{{Grammar Box}}  
  
This is one of the trickiest comparisons, as 会, 能, and 可以 are often translated as "can" in sentences. Often, they are explained as: 会 means "know how to", 能 means "to be able to", and 可以 means "to have permission to".In real life, they actually overlap a little bit. In this article, we will look at their differences.  
+
The three [[modal verb]]s (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.
  
这三个词相互交叉,具体图示可以参考sinosplice,我们这里只讲明三者的不同,其他情况要看具体的语境和语气判断句子的意思。
+
== Basic Meanings ==
  
== can mean "know how to" ==
+
The words , 能, and 可以 actually overlap a little in meaning. The first step is to understand their basic meanings, though:
  
expresses that an action that you had to learn or be trained in to do.  
+
# can mean "know how to" and can express an action that you had to ''learn'' or ''be trained in'' to do.
 +
# 能 means "to be able to" and expresses having a certain ''ability'' or having obtained a certain minimum ''requirement''.
 +
# 可以 means "may" or "to be allowed to" and expresses having another person's ''permission''.
  
""表示在经过学习以后懂得怎么做。否定形式是“不会”。
+
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” (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 ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
+ Verb
+
会/能 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 20: Line 36:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 他 <em>会</em> 修 电脑。
+
 
* 我 <em>会</em> 跳舞。
+
*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。
+
*他 <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 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>
  
== 会 can also mean something is gonna to happen ==
+
<div class="liju">
  
会 is often used to express something in the future will happen. It is often used to express trends or possiblities. The negative form is also 不会.
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<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">Bù <em>néng</em>.</span><span class="trans">I can't.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
  
"会"还经常用于表示一些事情或者动作行为有发生的趋势或者可能性。否定形式是“不会”。
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
== 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 ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
+ Verb
+
可以 / 能 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 40: Line 75:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 明天 你 <em></em> 来 吗?
+
 
* 你 太 过分 了,没 有 人 <em></em> 这么 做。
+
<ul class="dialog">
* 一会儿 <em></em> 下雨 吗?
+
<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>不 可以 。<span class="pinyin">Bù <em>kěyǐ</em>.</span><span class="trans">No, you can't.</span></li>
 +
</ul>
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 很会 means 'to be good at" ==
+
<div class="liju">
  
很会 can point to being very skillful at something, or doing something very well. It can sort of be translated as "really can", like "you can ''really'' speak Chinese!", meaning "you are good at speaking Chinese".
+
<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>
  
"很会"不是指事情或者动作行为的发生可能性变大,而是指在做某事上很有技巧,做得很好。
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
== Expressing Possibility ==
 +
 
 +
能 and 可以 can also be used to express possibility.
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
很会 + Verb
+
可以 / 能 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Examples ===
+
=== Example  ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 这 个 女 孩子 <strong></strong> <em></em> 唱歌。
+
 
* 我 的 妈妈 <strong></strong> <em></em> 做 饭。
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*明天 你 <em></em> 早点 来 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>
* 他 <strong>很</strong> <em></em> 骗 人。
+
*<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>
  
== 能 means "to be able to" ==
+
<div class="liju">
  
expresses having a certain ability or having obtained a certain requirement.  
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span>外国人 <em>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>
  
”能“表示有某种能力或者达到某种要求。否定形式是“不能”。
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
== 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 ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
+ Verb
+
+ Verb / Adj.
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 80: Line 133:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*你 <em></em> 吃 三 碗 米饭 吗?
+
 
*你 <em></em> 记 住 所有 国家 名字 吗?
+
*他 不 <em>会</em> 跟 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>
*三 个 月 的 小 孩子 不 <em></em> 走路。
+
*你 <em></em> 生 我 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>
 
</div>
  
== 可以 means "to have permission to" ==
+
<div class="liju">
  
可以 expresses another persons permission. I can be thought of in the context of "allowed or not allowed".
+
<ul class="dialog">
 +
<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><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>
  
"可以"表示有别人的许可。否定形式是“不可以”。
+
</div>
 +
 
 +
== 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 ===
 
=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
可以 + Verb
+
很 + 会/能 + Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
Other [[degree adverb]]s like 真 (zhēn), 太 (tài), 这么 (zhème), etc. can also be used in place of 很.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我 <em>可以</em> 进来 吗?
+
 
*<em>可以</em> 帮 我 一下 吗?
+
*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>
*<em>可以</em> 带 危险 物品 上车。
+
*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></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>
 
</div>
  
== Examples of similar expressions, but with different meanings ==
+
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:
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
*我 现在 <em>能</em> 跳舞 了,我 的 脚 伤 好 了。
+
 
*我 现在 <em>会</em> 跳舞 了,我 学 了 两 个 月。
+
*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>
*我 现在 <em>可以</em> 跳舞 了,我 爸爸 同意 了。
+
*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>
 +
*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>
  
== Example dialog ==
+
== Similar Expression with Different Meanings ==
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* A: 我 <em>可以</em> 和 他们 一起 踢 足球 吗?
+
 
* B: 你 的 腿 还 没 好,现在 你 不 <em></em> 踢。
+
*我 的 脚 好 了 ,现在 又 <em></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>
* A: 它 <em>会</em> 好 吗?
+
*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>
* B: 很 快 就 <em></em> 好 的。
+
*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>
 
</div>
 +
 +
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]]
Line 131: Line 211:
  
 
=== 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]
+
 
 +
{{Source|对外汉语教学语法释疑201例|55, 65}}
 +
{{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]
+
 
 +
{{Source|现代汉语词典(第5版)|989, 773, 610}}
 +
 
 
=== Websites ===
 
=== Websites ===
* sinosplice: http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram
 
  
 +
* [http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram Sinosplice: Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram]
 +
 +
[[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}}
+
{{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}}
 +
{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
 
{{Rel char|能}}
 
{{Rel char|能}}
 
{{Rel char|可以}}
 
{{Rel char|可以}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
 
{{Used for|Describing actions}}
{{Comparison}}
+
{{Used for|Expressing ability}}
 +
{{Used for|Expressing possibility}}
 +
{{Used for|Expressing permission}}
 +
{{Used for|Requesting}}
 +
{{Translation|can}}
 +
{{Translation|able}}
 +
{{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