Expressing ability or possibility with "neng"

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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。My boss can work 24 hours.
  • 一岁 的 宝宝 跑?Can a one year old baby run?
  • 喝 十 杯 啤酒?Can you drink 10 glasses of beer?
  • 我 知道 怎么做,我 帮 你。I know what to do. I can help.
  • 我 的 手机 上网。My cellphone can have internet.
  • 中文 这么 难,你 学 好 吗?Chinese is difficult, can you study well?

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?Can you finish today?
  • 星期天 十 点 你 来 吗?Can you come at 10 o'clock on Sunday?
  • 我 不 那么 早 上班。I can't work that early.
  • 帮 我 买 个 东西 吗?Can you help me buy a thing?

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