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A1 · Grammar reference · ASG9PQ40

Expressing ability or possibility with "neng"

能 (néng) is one of several Chinese words that is normally translated as "can" in English. However, 能 (néng) is used to emphasize one's ability or the possibility of something happening.

Structure

Subj. + 能 + Verb + Obj.

Keywords
能 · Can · Able
Used for
Expressing ability · Expressing possibility
Classification
Verbs · HSK1

Examples (15)

我能吃四十个饺子。

他能工作24个小时。

你能帮我找到他吗?

你的手机能上网吗?

一岁的宝宝能说话吗?

开车一个小时能到家吗?

他们明天能早点来吗?

你们能小声一点吗?

你能告诉我她的手机号码吗?

一千块能买一个手机吗?

我能问你一个问题吗?

我能坐在这里吗?

这里不能游泳。

上课的时候不能说英文。

工作的时候不能玩手机。

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Full explanation at AllSet Learning

Summary, structure, classification, and adapted sentence examples draw from the AllSet Learning Chinese Grammar Wiki under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0; changes were made. This noncommercial reference is based on an October 2023 snapshot.

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