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

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* 一岁 的 宝宝 <em>能</em> 跑?<span class="trans"> </span>
 
* 一岁 的 宝宝 <em>能</em> 跑?<span class="trans"> </span>
 
* 你 <em>能</em> 喝 十 杯 啤酒?<span class="trans"> </span>
 
* 你 <em>能</em> 喝 十 杯 啤酒?<span class="trans"> </span>
* 我 有 时间,我<em>能</em> 帮 你。<span class="trans"> </span>
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* 我 知道 怎么做,我<em>能</em> 帮 你。<span class="trans"> </span>
* 我 的 手机 不<em>能</em> 上网。<span class="trans"> </span>
+
* 我 的 手机 不 <em>能</em> 上网。<span class="trans"> </span>
 
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* 中文 这么 难,你  <em>能</em> 学 好 吗?<span class="trans"> </span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
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=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
  
When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 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 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." It can be instead of "可以".
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
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* 我 不 <em>能</em> 那么 早 上班。<span class="trans"> </span>
 
* 我 不 <em>能</em> 那么 早 上班。<span class="trans"> </span>
 
* 你 <em>能</em> 帮 我 买 个 东西 吗?<span class="trans"> </span>
 
* 你 <em>能</em> 帮 我 买 个 东西 吗?<span class="trans"> </span>
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</div>
 
</div>
  
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{{Used for|Expressing ability}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing ability}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing possibility}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing possibility}}
{{Basic Grammar|能|A1|能 + V|<em>能 </em> 吗 ?|grammar point|ASG9PQ40}}
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{{Basic Grammar|能|A1|能 + V|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}}  

Revision as of 03:29, 6 September 2013

能 (néng) is another Chinese word that is often translated as "can." However, it has a slightly different meaning than the others. 能 is used to express ability or possibility of doing something. This article will further explain its use.

Expressing Ability

Structure

The verb 能 is used to express either ability or possibility. The structure is:

Subject + 能 + Verb + Object

Examples

能 indicates ability when used with activities that are not consciously learned or studied.

  • 吃 四十 个 饺子。I can eat 40 dumplings.
  • 听懂 东北话。I can understand Northeastern dialect.
  • 我的老板 工作 24 个 小时。
  • 一岁 的 宝宝 跑?
  • 喝 十 杯 啤酒?
  • 我 知道 怎么做,我 帮 你。
  • 我 的 旧 手机 不 上网。
  • 中文 这么 难,你 学 好 吗?

Expressing Possibility

The structure is exactly the same.

Examples

When used with activities that are consciously learned or studied, 能 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." It can be instead of "可以".

  • 上课 的 时候 不 说 英文。 (my teacher has forbidden me from speaking English.)In class, you can't speak English.
  • 在 这里 不 游泳。(it's not allowed, or not possible for other reasons)You can't swim here.
  • 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 要 你 的 钱。I can't accept your money.
  • 明天 你 做 完 吗?
  • 星期天 十 点 你 来 吗?Can you come at 10 o'clock on Sunday?
  • 我 不 那么 早 上班。
  • 帮 我 买 个 东西 吗?

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

  • 帮 我 吗?Could you help me?
  • 能 不 能 给 我 那 本书?Can you give me that book?
  • 问 你 一 个 问题 吗?Can I ask you a question?

See also

Sources and further reading

Websites

Books