会

会 (huì) is one of the most useful Chinese modal verbs, with two HSK 1 meanings. First, 'to know how to' — a learned skill or ability: 我会说中文 ('I can speak Chinese'), 他会开车 ('he can drive'). Second, 'will / likely to' — future possibility or prediction: 明天会下雨 ('it will rain tomorrow'). Two things matter for English speakers: first, 会 covers only LEARNED abilities — for physical possibility ('I can lift this'), use 能 (néng), and for permission ('you may'), use 可以 (kěyǐ); second, the negative is 不会 (bú huì), 'don't know how' or 'won't.' 会 also appears as a noun meaning 'meeting' (huì) — same character, related to gathering and ability, but the verb usage is what HSK 1 tests.

Note: 会 has two distinct HSK 1 meanings: a learned ability ('know how to') and future probability ('will / likely'). Context tells you which.

Memory hook: Think of 会 as 'have-the-skill-for.' If you've LEARNED it, you 会 it. If you HAVEN'T learned it, 不会.