会 huì, 能 néng, and 可以 kěyǐ: Essential Chinese Verbs of Ability

In this post we’ll look at three essential Chinese verbs of ability: 会 huì, 能 néng, and 可以 kěyǐ. All of these verbs can be translated as can or be able to in English, but they are used in different contexts. First, we’ll look at how to use 会 huì with learned skills or knowledge. Then we’ll turn to 能 néng, which expresses ability in a particular physical or situational context. Next, we’ll look at  可以 kěyǐ, which is used to express permission. Finally, we’ll wrap up with a summary of all three.

Chinese Verbs of Ability: 会 huì — Learned Skill or Knowledge

会 huì means can in the sense of to know how to do something because you’ve learned or practiced it.
It’s used for learned abilities, like speaking a language, playing an instrument, or swimming.

Structure: Subject + 会 huì + Verb (+ Object)

Think of会 huì as something you’ve studied or practiced, not something you happen to be able to do right now.

• 我会说中文。
  Wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén.
  I can (know how to) speak Chinese.
• 她会开车。
  Tā huì kāi chē.
  She can drive. (She learned how.)
• 你会做饭吗？
  Nǐ huì zuò fàn ma?
  Can you cook? (Do you know how to cook?)
• 我不会游泳。
  Wǒ bú huì yóu yǒng.
  I can’t swim. (I never learned.)

Chinese Verbs of Ability: 能 néng — Physical or Situational Ability

能 néng means to be able to in the sense of having the ability or the opportunity to do something. It’s about circumstances or conditions, not training or permission.

Structure: Subject + 能 néng + Verb (+ Object)

Use 能 néng for what’s possible right now — due to physical, environmental, or situational factors.

• 我今天不能去。
  Wǒ jīntiān bù néng qù.
  I can’t go today. (Because I’m busy or something prevents me.)
• 她感冒了，不能唱歌。
  Tā gǎnmào le, bù néng chàng gē.
  She has a cold and can’t sing. (Because she’s congested and has a sore throat.)
• 你能帮我一下吗？
  Nǐ néng bāng wǒ yīxià ma?
  Can you help me for a moment? (Are you available and able to?)
• 我现在能看到他。
  Wǒ xiànzài néng kàn dào tā.
  I can see him now. (He’s now in my range of sight.)

Chinese Verbs of Ability: 可以 kěyǐ — Permission or Possibility

可以 kěyǐ means may or be allowed to. It expresses permission or possibility, and it’s often used in polite requests.

Structure:  Subject + 可以 kěyǐ + Verb (+ Object)

可以 kěyǐ often corresponds to English may or be allowed to. It’s about rules or permission, not skill or ability.

• 可以进来吗？
  Kěyǐ jìnlái ma?
  May I come in?
• 我可以坐这儿吗？
  Wǒ kěyǐ zuò zhèr ma?
  Can I sit here?
• 你可以用我的手机。
  Nǐ kěyǐ yòng wǒ de shǒujī.
  You can (are allowed to) use my phone.
• 不可以在这里抽烟。
  Bù kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ chōu yān.
  You can’t (are not allowed to) smoke here.

Summary: 会 huì vs. 能 néng vs. 可以 kěyǐ

Verb	Used With	English	Typical Context	Example
会 huì	learned skill	know how to	skills, training	我会弹钢琴。 Wǒ huì dàn gāngqín. I can play piano.
能 néng	ability, condition	be able to	physical, situational	我今天不能来。 Wǒ jīntiān bùnéng lái. I can’t come today.
可以 kěyǐ	permission, possibility	may, allowed to	rules, politeness	我可以走了吗？ Wǒ kěyǐ zǒule ma? May I leave now?

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