Language/Mandarin-chinese/Vocabulary/能-néng

How to use 能 néng

你好 Chinese learners,

In today's lesson, we will teach you how to use the Chinese verb 能 néng.

Feel free to edit this wiki page, if you think it can be improved.

能 néng indicates the ability to do something:

• 我能打電話。／我能打电话。 Wǒ néng dǎ diànhuà

I can call. (I am able do it.)

There is a nuance with 會／会 huì “know how to do something”, even if the use is sometimes very close:

• 我能說話。／我能说话。Wǒ néng shuō huà

I can speak (because I have the physical capacity: mouth, tongue, etc.).

• 我會說話。／我会说话。Wǒ huì shuōhuà

I can speak (because I have learned it).

我会说话 is a know-how and in this sense the sentence is also understood by the eloquence: "I know how to speak well."

能 néng also indicates permission:

• 我能不能去看他？ Wǒ néng bù néng qù kān tā?

Can I go see him?

• 不能。 Bù néng

No.

Sources

http://www.chine-culture.com/chinois/cours-de-chinois-6-grammaire.php