能 / 会 néng / huì
can / able to
能 (néng) and 会 (huì) both mean "can", but they split the job. 会 is for learned skill; 能 is for ability, circumstance, or permission. Together they multiply every verb you know.
How to use 能 / 会
你会 ___ 吗？
Can you ___? (learned skill)
我能 ___ 吗？
Can I ___? (permission)
我不会 ___
I can't ___ / I don't know how to ___
你能不能 ___？
Can you ___? (request)
Words used with 能 / 会
能
néng
can (ability/permission)
会
huì
can (skill/knowledge) / will
不能
bù néng
cannot / not allowed
不会
bù huì
don't know how / won't
游泳
yóuyǒng
swimming / to swim
开车
kāi chē
to drive (a car)
Frequently asked questions
What does 能 / 会 (néng / huì) mean in Chinese?
能 / 会 (néng / huì) means "can / able to" in Chinese. 能 (néng) and 会 (huì) both mean "can", but they split the job. 会 is for learned skill; 能 is for ability, circumstance, or permission. Together they multiply every verb you know.
How do you use 能 / 会 in a sentence?
The core pattern is "你会 ___ 吗？" (Can you ___? (learned skill)). Once you know this block, you can reuse it with many other words to build full sentences.
What words are commonly used with 能 / 会?
Common words that pair with 能 / 会 include 能, 会, 不能, 不会. Learning these together helps you build complete, natural sentences instead of isolated vocabulary.
What is the difference between 能 / 会 (néng / huì) and 看 / 听 (kàn / tīng)?
Both are high-frequency Chinese words taught early in Speak1000. 能 / 会 means "can / able to"; 看 / 听 means "to see / to listen". The fastest way to tell them apart is to hear each one used in real sentences — our free lessons drill every word in context so the contrast becomes natural.
Related Chinese concepts
Hear 能 / 会 used in real sentences
The fastest way to remember 能 / 会 (néng / huì) is to hear it used naturally. Start free and practice with audio from day one.
Start free lessons