Expressing possibility

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The following structures used to express the possibility of something happening in Chinese are organized according to our grammar points by level.

A1 Expressing possibility

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing ability or possibility with "neng" 能 + Verb 中文 这么 难,你 学 好 吗?


B1 Expressing possibility

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Comparing "hui," "neng," "keyi" 会 vs. 能 vs. 可以 跳舞 。这里 不 跳舞 。我 可以 请 你 跳舞 吗 ?
Expressing "if" with "ruguo... dehua" 如果⋯⋯ (的话) ,(就) ⋯⋯ 如果 明天 下雨 的话 ,我们 不 去 了 。
Expressing "if... then..." with "ruguo... jiu..." 如果 ⋯⋯ ,就 ⋯⋯ 如果 有 困难 , 给 我 打 电话 。

B2 Expressing possibility

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Advanced potential complements Verb + 得了 / 不了 今晚 我 有事 ,去 不 了
Expressing "if it were not for" with "yaobushi" 要不是 ⋯⋯ ( 的话 ),⋯⋯ 要不是 你们 迟到 的话,我们 早就 到 了。
Expressing "if… then…" with "jiaru" 假如⋯⋯,就⋯⋯ 假如 下雨 了 , 收 衣服 。
Expressing "if… then…" with "yaoshi" 要是⋯⋯,就⋯⋯ 要是 真 想 我, 给 我 打 电话 。
Expressing "what if" with "wanyi" 万一 ⋯⋯ 怎么办 ? 万一 被 发现 了 怎么办 ?

C1 Expressing possibility

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "if… then…" with "jiashi" 假使⋯⋯,就⋯⋯ 假使 你 遇到 坏人 , 报警 。
Use "tangruo" to express "if" 倘若 + resultative situation 倘若 有问题,可以给我打个电话。