HSK 1

Subject + 会 + Verb

Reach for 会 when you want to say someone 'can do' something they've learned, or that something 'will' happen in the future. Two distinct meanings, same word. '我会说中文' means I have learned Chinese and can speak it. '明天会下雨' means it will rain tomorrow. The verb stays in its plain form right after 会. Context tells the listener which sense you mean.

Structure

[SUBJECT] 会 [VERB]

huì [VERB]

How to Think About It

会 covers acquired skill and future likelihood — both involve something not yet visible: an ability you can call up, or an event that hasn't happened. Compare with 能 (能 = physical/permitted capability right now) and 可以 (allowed). If a five-year-old could learn it, use 会. If it's about whether the body or rules permit it, use 能/可以.

Examples

我会说一点中文。

Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn Zhōngwén.

I can speak a little Chinese.

他会开车吗？

Tā huì kāichē ma?

Does he know how to drive?

明天会下雨。

Míngtiān huì xiàyǔ.

It will rain tomorrow.

Common Mistake

Learners use 会 for any 'can,' including 'I can lift this box.' That's a physical capability, not a learned skill — Chinese uses 能 there. Reserve 会 for skills (语言, 开车, 游泳) and predictions.

❌ Wrong

我会搬这个箱子。

✅ Right

我能搬这个箱子。

Don't Confuse With

能 + Verb

能 = physically able right now, or have time/permission. 会 = learned skill or future prediction. 'I can swim (I learned)' = 会; 'I can swim today (no broken arm)' = 能.

可以 + Verb

可以 = allowed to, may. Use it for permission. 会 has nothing to do with permission.

要 + Verb

要 = will/want to, with intention behind it. 会 for predictions ('it will rain') is more impersonal — no human plan involved.