Learn Ability and possibility with 能 (néng) in Mandarin Chinese. Clear HSK 1 grammar explanation with examples in Chinese, pinyin, and English. Free on Dumplingo.
能 (néng) is used to express ability or possibility, similar to 'can' or 'be able to' in English. Examples: 1. 我能说中文。 Wǒ néng shuō zhōngwén. I can speak Chinese. 2. 你能帮我吗？ Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma? Can you help me? 3. 今天下雨，我们不能去公园。 Jīntiān xiàyǔ, wǒmen bù néng qù gōngyuán. It's raining today, we can't go to the park. Notes: - 能 is used for physical or circumstantial ability/possibility, not learned skills (for learned skills, use 会 huì). - Negative form: 不能 (bù néng) means 'cannot' or 'not allowed to'. Structure: [Subject] + 能 + [Verb] + [Object] More examples: - 他能来吗？ (Tā néng lái ma?) — Can he come? - 我不能喝酒。 (Wǒ bù néng hējiǔ.) — I can't drink alcohol. --- Next grammar point: [Basic usage of 把 (bǎ)](/grammar/hsk3/basic_usage_of_ba)