Question 1

What does 能 mean in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

能 (néng) is one of three HSK 1 modal verbs for 'can,' and the one most about possibility, capability, or permission given current circumstances. Use 能 when you mean 'is it possible right now / am I physically able' — 我今天能去 'I can go today (I'm free/able),' 这里能吃饭吗 'Can I eat here? (is it allowed/possible).' The key contrast English learners must master: 能 (circumstantial ability/possibility) vs 会 (huì, learned skill — 'I know how to') vs 可以 (kěyǐ, permission — 'I may').

'I can swim because I'm not injured today' = 我今天能游泳. 'I can swim because I learned' = 我会游泳. Negative form is 不能 (bù néng, 'cannot / not allowed'). 能 also appears in 可能 (kěnéng, 'possibly / maybe')

Question 2

How do you pronounce 能?

Accepted Answer

能 is pronounced néng — 能 (néng).

Question 3

Is 能 a noun, verb, or something else?

Accepted Answer

能 is a verb, register: neutral.

Question 4

What's the difference between 能 and 会?

Accepted Answer

会 is about learned skills and future likelihood ('will'). 能 is about current possibility/capacity. The classic confusion: 'I can speak Chinese' is 我会说中文 (learned skill), not 我能说中文 (unless you mean 'I'm able to speak Chinese right now,' i.e., your mouth is free).

Question 5

What's the difference between 能 and 可以?

Accepted Answer

可以 leans toward permission and 'it's okay to.' 能 leans toward possibility and capability. There's overlap — 'Can I sit here?' works as both 能 and 可以 — but in writing, 可以 is more about rules and 能 about ability.

能

What does 能 mean?

Character breakdown

Example sentences

Common phrases with 能

Synonyms

Don't confuse 能 with

FAQ

Hear 能 in real Chinese, not in a flashcard.