Difference between revisions of "Expressing ability or possibility with "neng""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
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.  
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能 (néng) is one of several Chinese words that is normally translated as "can" in English. However, 能 (néng) is used to emphasize one's ability or the possibility of something happening.
  
 
== Expressing Ability ==
 
== Expressing Ability ==
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=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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The structure to use 能 (néng) to express "ability" is:
 
The structure to use 能 (néng) to express "ability" is:
  
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
* 我 <em>能</em> 吃 四 十 个 饺子。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>néng</em> chī sìshí gè jiǎozi.</span><span class="trans">I can eat 40 dumplings.</span>
 
* 我 <em>能</em> 吃 四 十 个 饺子。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>néng</em> chī sìshí gè jiǎozi.</span><span class="trans">I can eat 40 dumplings.</span>
* 我 的 老板 <em>能</em> 工作 24 个 小时。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ de lǎobǎn <em>néng</em> gōngzuò èrshísì gè xiǎoshí.</span><span class="trans">My boss can work 24 hours.</span>
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* <em>能</em> 工作 24 个 小时。<span class="pinyin"><em>néng</em> gōngzuò èrshí-sì gè xiǎoshí.</span><span class="trans">He can work 24 hours.</span>
* 你 <em>能</em> 帮 我 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>néng</em> bāng ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you help me?</span>
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* 你 <em>能</em> 帮 我 找到 他 吗? <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>néng</em> bāng wǒ zhǎodào tā ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you help me find him?</span>
* 你 的 手机 <em>能</em> 上网 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de shǒujī <em>néng</em> shàngwǎng ma?</span><span class="trans">Can your cellphone go on the internet?</span>
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* 你 的 手机 <em>能</em> 上网 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ de shǒujī <em>néng</em> shàngwǎng ma?</span><span class="trans">Can your cell phone go on the internet?</span>
* 一 岁 的 宝宝 <em>能</em> 说话 吗?<span class="pinyin">Yī suì de bǎobǎo <em>néng</em> shuōhuà ma?</span><span class="trans">Can a one year old baby talk?</span>
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* 一 岁 的 宝宝 <em>能</em> 说话 吗?<span class="pinyin">Yī suì de bǎobao <em>néng</em> shuōhuà ma?</span><span class="trans">Can a one year old baby talk?</span>
  
 
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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."
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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.''
  
 
=== Structure ===
 
=== Structure ===
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
 
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* 开车 一 个 小时 <em>能</em> 到 家 吗?<span class="pinyin">Kāichē yī gè xiǎoshí <em>néng</em> dào jiā ma?</span><span class="trans">Is it possible to drive home in one hour?</span>
* 上课 的 时候 不 <em>能</em> 说 英文。<span class="expl"> (my teacher has forbidden me from speaking English.)</span><span class="pinyin">Shàngkè de shíhou bù <em>néng</em> shuō Yīngwén.</span><span class="trans">In class, you can't speak English.</span>
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* 他们 明天 <em>能</em> 早 点 来 吗?<span class="pinyin"> Tāmen míngtiān <em>néng</em> zǎo diǎn lái ma?</span><span class="trans">Would it be possible for them to come a little earlier tomorrow?</span>
* 在 这里 不 <em>能</em> 游泳。<span class="expl">(it's not allowed, or not possible for other reasons)</span><span class="pinyin">Zài zhèlǐ bù <em>néng</em> yóuyǒng.</span><span class="trans">You can't swim here.</span>
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* 你们 <em>能</em> 小声 一点 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>néng</em> xiǎo shēng yīdiǎn ma?</span><span class="trans">Could you all lower your voices a bit?</span>
* 我 <em>能</em> 买 这 个 玩具 吗?<span class="expl">(the speaker is afraid his parents won't agree, or that it's not for sale) </span><span class="pinyin"><em>néng</em> mǎi zhè ge wánjù ma?</span><span class="trans">Can I buy this toy?</span>
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* 你 <em>能</em> 告诉 她的 手机 号码 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>néng</em> gàosu tā de shǒujī hàomǎ ma?</span><span class="trans">Could you tell me her cell phone number?</span>
* 我 不 <em>能</em> 给 你 钱。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù <em>néng</em> gěi nǐ qián.</span><span class="trans">I can't give you money.</span>
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* 一 千 块 <em>能</em> 买 一 个 手机 吗?<span class="pinyin">Yīqiān kuài <em>néng</em> mǎi yī gè shǒujī ma?</span><span class="trans">Is it possible to buy a cell phone with one thousand RMB?</span>
* 明天 <em>能</em> 做 完 吗?<span class="pinyin">Míngtiān nǐ <em>néng</em> zuò wán ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you finish tomorrow?</span>
 
* 星期天 十 点 你 <em>能</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Xīngqítiān shí diǎn nǐ <em>néng</em> lái ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you come at 10 o'clock on Sunday?</span>
 
* 我 不 <em>能</em> 那么 早 上班。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù <em>néng</em> nàme zǎo shàngbān.</span><span class="trans">I can't work that early.</span>
 
* 你 <em>能</em> 买 个 东西 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>néng</em> bāng mǎi gè dōngxī ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you help me buy something?</span>
 
* 一 千 块 <em>能</em> 买 一 个 手机 吗?<span class="pinyin">Yīqiān kuài <em>néng</em> mǎi yīgè shǒujī ma?</span><span class="trans">Can one thousand kuai buy a cellphone?/Can I buy a cellphone with one thousand kuai?</span>
 
* 这里 不 <em>能</em> 打车。<span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ bù <em>néng</em> dǎchē.</span><span class="trans">I can't get a taxi here.</span>
 
 
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Other usages ==
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== 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.  
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From these examples we can see such circumstances might be pertaining to getting someone's consent or reliant on the speaker's health. If the speaker wishes to express that they are able to execute an action requiring a consciously studied skill, 会 (huì) can be used instead.
  
 
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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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* <em>能</em> 帮 我 吗?<span class="pinyin"><em>néng</em> bāng wǒ ma?</span><span class="trans">Could you help me?</span>
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* <em>能</em> 问 你 一 个 问题 吗?<span class="pinyin"><em>néng</em> wèn nǐ yī gè wèntí ma?</span><span class="trans">Could I ask you a question?</span>
* <em>能 不 能</em> 给 我 那 本书?<span class="pinyin"><em>néng bùnéng</em> gěi wǒ nà běn shū?</span><span class="trans">Could you give me that book?</span>
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* <em>能</em> 坐 在 这里 吗?<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>néng</em> zuò zài zhèlǐ ma?</span><span class="trans">Could I sit here?</span>
* <em>能</em> 问 你 一 个 问题 吗?<span class="pinyin"><em>néng</em> wèn nǐ yīgè wèntí ma?</span><span class="trans">Could I ask you a question?</span>
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* 这里 <em>能</em> 游泳。<span class="expl pdf-long-expl">It's not allowed, or not possible for other reasons.</span><span class="pinyin">Zhèlǐ bù <em>néng</em> yóuyǒng.</span><span class="trans">You can't swim here.</span>
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* 上课 的 时候 不 <em>能</em> 说 英文。<span class="expl pdf-long-expl">My teacher has forbidden me from speaking English.</span><span class="pinyin">Shàngkè de shíhou bù <em>néng</em> shuō Yīngwén.</span><span class="trans">In class, you can't speak English.</span>
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* 工作 的 时候 不 <em>能</em> 玩 手机。<span class="pinyin">Gōngzuò de shíhou bù <em>néng</em> wán shǒujī.</span><span class="trans">When working, you can't play with your cell phone.</span>
  
 
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[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|HSK Standard Course 1|74}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)]] (pp. 160-1) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561910401/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561910401 →buy]
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{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|219-20}}
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)]] (pp. 185-7) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561926235/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7561926235 →buy]
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{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)|160-1}}
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{{Source|New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)|185-7}}
  
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
 
[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
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{{HSK|HSK1}}{{2021-HSK|HSK1}} <!-- HSK3 tag removed because it's actually about 反问句 -->
 
{{Used for|Expressing ability}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing ability}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing possibility}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing possibility}}
{{Basic Grammar|能|A1|能 + V|中文 这么 难,你  <em>能</em> 学 好 吗?|grammar point|ASG9PQ40}}
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{{Basic Grammar|能|A1|能 + Verb|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}}  

Latest revision as of 09:24, 20 April 2021

能 (néng) is one of several Chinese words that is normally translated as "can" in English. However, 能 (néng) is used to emphasize one's ability or the possibility of something happening.

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:

Subj. + 能 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

  • 吃 四 十 个 饺子。néng chī sìshí gè jiǎozi.I can eat 40 dumplings.
  • 工作 24 个 小时。néng gōngzuò èrshí-sì gè xiǎoshí.He can work 24 hours.
  • 帮 我 找到 他 吗? néng bāng wǒ zhǎodào tā ma?Can you help me find him?
  • 你 的 手机 上网 吗?Nǐ de shǒujī néng shàngwǎng ma?Can your cell phone go on the internet?
  • 一 岁 的 宝宝 说话 吗?Yī suì de bǎobao néng shuōhuà ma?Can a one year old baby talk?

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.

Structure

The structure to use 能 (néng) to express possibility is exactly the same:

Subj. + 能 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

  • 开车 一 个 小时 到 家 吗?Kāichē yī gè xiǎoshí néng dào jiā ma?Is it possible to drive home in one hour?
  • 他们 明天 早 点 来 吗? Tāmen míngtiān néng zǎo diǎn lái ma?Would it be possible for them to come a little earlier tomorrow?
  • 你们 小声 一点 吗?Nǐmen néng xiǎo shēng yīdiǎn ma?Could you all lower your voices a bit?
  • 告诉 我 她的 手机 号码 吗 ?néng gàosu wǒ tā de shǒujī hàomǎ ma?Could you tell me her cell phone number?
  • 一 千 块 买 一 个 手机 吗?Yīqiān kuài néng mǎi yī gè shǒujī ma?Is it possible to buy a cell phone with one thousand RMB?

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. If the speaker wishes to express that they are able to execute an action requiring a consciously studied skill, 会 (huì) can be used instead.

Because 能 (néng) can express possibility, it is often used to form polite questions, something like "would it be possible" in English:

Examples

  • 问 你 一 个 问题 吗?néng wèn nǐ yī gè wèntí ma?Could I ask you a question?
  • 坐 在 这里 吗?néng zuò zài zhèlǐ ma?Could I sit here?
  • 这里 不 游泳。It's not allowed, or not possible for other reasons.Zhèlǐ bù néng yóuyǒng.You can't swim here.
  • 上课 的 时候 不 说 英文。My teacher has forbidden me from speaking English.Shàngkè de shíhou bù néng shuō Yīngwén.In class, you can't speak English.
  • 工作 的 时候 不 玩 手机。Gōngzuò de shíhou bù néng wán shǒujī.When working, you can't play with your cell phone.

See also

Sources and further reading

Websites

Books