Expressing ability or possibility with "neng"

Level

A1 / HSK1
Level

A1
Level

HSK1
Similar to
- Expressing a learned skill with "hui" (A1)
- Expressing permission with "keyi" (A1)
Similar to
- Expressing a learned skill with "hui" (HSK1)
- Expressing permission with "keyi" (HSK2)
Used for

Expressing possibility, Expressing ability
Keywords

能

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.

我能吃四十个饺子。I can eat 40 dumplings.
我能听懂东北话。I can understand Northeastern dialect.
我的老板能工作 24 个小时。
一岁的宝宝能跑？
你能喝十杯啤酒？
我知道怎么做，我能帮你。
我的旧手机不能上网。
中文这么难，你能学好吗？

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".

上课的时候不能说英文。 (my teacher has forbidden me from speaking English.)In class, you can't speak English.
在这里不能游泳。(it's not allowed, or not possible for other reasons)You can't swim here.
我能买这个玩具吗？(the speaker is afraid his parents won't agree, or that it's not for sale) Can I buy this toy?
我不能要你的钱。I can't accept your money.
明天你能做完吗？
星期天十点你能来吗？Can you come at 10 o'clock on Sunday?
我不能那么早上班。
你能帮我买个东西吗？

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:

你能帮我吗?Could you help me?
你 能不能 给我那本书？Can you give me that book?
我能问你一个问题吗？Can I ask you a question?

Sources and further reading

Websites

Sinosplice: Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram

Books

Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 219-20)　→buy
New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 160-1) →buy
New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 185-7) →buy

Expressing ability or possibility with "neng"

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