Difference between revisions of "Expressing a learned skill with "hui""

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* <em>不会</em> 说 中文。<span class="pinyin"><em>bù huì</em> shuō Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">He can't speak Chinese.</span>
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* <em>不会</em> 说 英文。<span class="pinyin"> <em>bù huì</em> shuō Yīngwén.</span><span class="trans">I can't speak English.</span>
* 我 <em>不会</em> 开车。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bù huì</em> kāichē.</span><span class="trans">I can't drive.</span>
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* 妈妈 <em>不会</em> 做 美国 菜。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bù huì</em> zuò Zhōngguó cài.</span><span class="trans">Mom can't cook Chinese food.</span>
* <em>不会</em> 做 饭。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bù huì</em> zuò fàn.</span><span class="trans">I can't cook food.</span>
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* <em>不会</em> 游泳 吗?<span class="pinyin"> <em>bù huì</em> yóuyǒng ma?</span><span class="trans">You can't swim?</span>
* 她 <em>不会</em> 做 中国 菜。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>bù huì</em> zuò Zhōngguó cài.</span><span class="trans">She can't cook Chinese food.</span>
 
* <em>不会</em> 画画。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bù huì</em> huà huà.</span><span class="trans">I can't paint.</span>
 
* 我 <em>不会</em> 游泳。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>bù huì</em> yóuyǒng.</span><span class="trans">I can't swim.</span>
 
 
* 我 奶奶 <em>不会</em> 用 电脑。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ nǎinai <em>bù huì</em> yòng diànnǎo.</span><span class="trans">My grandmother can't use a computer.</span>
 
* 我 奶奶 <em>不会</em> 用 电脑。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ nǎinai <em>bù huì</em> yòng diànnǎo.</span><span class="trans">My grandmother can't use a computer.</span>
* <em>不会</em> 唱 歌。<span class="pinyin">Gǒu <em>bù huì</em> chànggē.</span><span class="trans">Dogs can't sing.</span>
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* 动物 都 <em>不会</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin"> Dòngwù dōu <em>bù huì</em> xiào ma?</span><span class="trans">All the animals can't smile?</span>
* 你 <em>不会</em> 喝 酒 吗?<span class="pinyin"><em>bù huì</em> hējiǔ ma?</span><span class="trans">Can't you drink alcohol?</span>
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* 你 <em>不会</em> 做 三明治 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>bù huì</em> zuò sānmíngzhì ma?</span><span class="trans">Can't you make a sandwich?</span>
 
  
 
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Revision as of 07:04, 18 September 2015

The verb 会 (huì) can be used to express an ability that has been learned (a skill). In this case 会 (huì) is an auxiliary verb.

Structure

The basic structure for 会 (huì) is:

Subj. + 会 + Verb + Obj.

This structure is the easiest way to express all kinds of skills, from languages, to sports, to skills in daily life such as cooking, and driving.

Examples

  • 说 中文。huì shuō Zhōngwén.He can speak Chinese.
  • 写 汉字。huì xiě hànzì.I can write Chinese characters.
  • 做 饭 吗?huì zuò fàn ma?Can you cook food?
  • 唱 歌 吗?Gǒu huì chànggē ma?Can dogs sing?
  • 爸爸 开车。Bàba huì kāichē. Dad can drive.

Negating 会 sentences

Structure

会 (huì) sentences are negated with 不 (bù), which is inserted in front of 会 (huì):

Subj. + 不 + 会 + Verb + Obj.

Again, this is the simplest way to express the lack of a learned ability. Also, due to tone change rules for "不" (bù), the phrase "不会" (bù huì) is actually read as "bú huì".

Examples

  • 不会 说 英文。bù huì shuō Yīngwén.I can't speak English.
  • 妈妈 不会 做 美国 菜。bù huì zuò Zhōngguó cài.Mom can't cook Chinese food.
  • 不会 游泳 吗?bù huì yóuyǒng ma?You can't swim?
  • 我 奶奶 不会 用 电脑。Wǒ nǎinai bù huì yòng diànnǎo.My grandmother can't use a computer.
  • 动物 都 不会 笑 吗? Dòngwù dōu bù huì xiào ma?All the animals can't smile?


Note that if we say 我不能说中文 (wǒ bùnéng shuō Zhōngwén), the speaker is saying that he can't speak Chinese for some reason other than his own ability, perhaps because speaking Chinese in English class is forbidden.

See also

Sources and further reading