能 néng — can, to be able to (in the circumstances)

Meanings

1. 1

   can, to be able to (in the circumstances)

   Ability that depends on the situation: whether you have the time, the strength, or the opportunity. It says nothing about whether you have learned the skill — that is 会.

   verb
2. 2

   may, to be allowed to

   verb

Example sentences

• 我今天不能去。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) jīntiān (first tone, high and level) bù (fourth tone, falling) néng (second tone, rising) qù. (fourth tone, falling)···

  I can’t go today.

• 你能来我家吗？/你能來我家嗎？Nǐ (third tone, dipping) néng (second tone, rising) lái (second tone, rising) wǒ (third tone, dipping) jiā (first tone, high and level) ma? (neutral tone)···

  Could you come over to my place?

Common mistakes

• Not quite我不能说汉语。

  Correct我不会说汉语。

  If you mean you never learned Chinese, say 不会. 不能说 means something is preventing you from speaking right now — a sore throat, or a rule against it.

Similar words