If you’ve ever tried to say “can” in Chinese, you’ve probably come across three different words: 会 (huì), 能 (néng), and 可以 (kěyǐ). At first, they all seem to mean the same thing, which makes things confusing for beginners.
But here’s the good news: each one has a clear purpose. Once you understand the differences, you’ll be able to express ability, possibility, and permission much more naturally.
Let’s break them down step by step.
1. The Big Picture: 会 vs 能 vs 可以
All three words can be translated as “can” in English, but they are used in different situations:
- 会 (huì) → learned skills or future likelihood
- 能 (néng) → physical ability or situational possibility
- 可以 (kěyǐ) → permission or allowed actions
Think of it like this:
- 会 = “I know how to”
- 能 = “I am able to”
- 可以 = “I am allowed to”
2. Using 会 (huì) for Learned Skills
会 (huì) is used when you have learned how to do something.
Structure:
Subject + 会 (huì) + Verb
Examples:
我会说中文。
wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén
I can speak Chinese.
他会开车。
tā huì kāichē
He can drive.
她会做饭。
tā huì zuò fàn
She can cook.
我们会写汉字。
wǒmen huì xiě Hànzì
We can write Chinese characters.
This is about skills you learned through study or practice.
3. Using 会 (huì) for Future Possibility
会 (huì) can also express something likely to happen in the future.
Examples:
明天会下雨。
míngtiān huì xiàyǔ
It will rain tomorrow.
他会来吗？
tā huì lái ma
Will he come?
我会给你打电话。
wǒ huì gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà
I will call you.
This use is similar to “will” in English.
4. Using 能 (néng) for Ability
能 (néng) is used for physical or practical ability.
Structure:
Subject + 能 (néng) + Verb
Examples:
我能跑很快。
wǒ néng pǎo hěn kuài
I can run fast.
他能搬这个箱子。
tā néng bān zhège xiāngzi
He can carry this box.
她能看清楚。
tā néng kàn qīngchu
She can see clearly.
This is about whether something is physically possible.
5. Using 能 (néng) for Situational Possibility
能 (néng) is also used when something depends on conditions.
Examples:
我今天不能去。
wǒ jīntiān bù néng qù
I cannot go today.
现在你能进来。
xiànzài nǐ néng jìnlái
You can come in now.
这里不能停车。
zhèlǐ bù néng tíng chē
You cannot park here.
It often reflects rules, conditions, or limitations.
6. Using 可以 (kěyǐ) for Permission
可以 (kěyǐ) is used to ask for or give permission.
Structure:
Subject + 可以 (kěyǐ) + Verb
Examples:
我可以进去吗？
wǒ kěyǐ jìnqù ma
Can I go in?
你可以坐这里。
nǐ kěyǐ zuò zhèlǐ
You can sit here.
学生可以用手机。
xuéshēng kěyǐ yòng shǒujī
Students may use phones.
7. Using 可以 (kěyǐ) for Suggestions
可以 (kěyǐ) can also suggest options.
Examples:
你可以试试这个。
nǐ kěyǐ shìshi zhège
You can try this.
我们可以明天见面。
wǒmen kěyǐ míngtiān jiànmiàn
We can meet tomorrow.
你可以坐地铁去公司 (公司, gōngsī)。
nǐ kěyǐ zuò dìtiě qù gōngsī
You can take the subway to the company.
8. Key Differences in Action
Let’s compare all three in similar sentences:
我会开车。
wǒ huì kāichē
I know how to drive.
我能开车。
wǒ néng kāichē
I am able to drive (I have the ability or conditions).
我可以开车吗？
wǒ kěyǐ kāichē ma
May I drive?
See how the meaning changes slightly in each case.
9. Negative Forms
Each modal verb has its own negative form.
会 (huì):
我不会游泳。
wǒ bú huì yóuyǒng
I cannot swim.
能 (néng):
我不能去。
wǒ bù néng qù
I cannot go.
可以 (kěyǐ):
你不可以抽烟。
nǐ bù kěyǐ chōuyān
You are not allowed to smoke.
10. Asking Questions
To ask questions, just add 吗 (ma) at the end.
Examples:
你会说英语吗？
nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma
Can you speak English?
你能帮我吗？
nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma
Can you help me?
我可以坐这里吗？
wǒ kěyǐ zuò zhèlǐ ma
May I sit here?
11. Real-Life Situations
At a restaurant (餐厅, cāntīng):
我可以点菜吗？
wǒ kěyǐ diǎn cài ma
May I order?
At work (办公室, bàngōngshì):
我今天不能来上班。
wǒ jīntiān bù néng lái shàngbān
I can’t come to work today.
Talking about skills:
他会说三种语言。
tā huì shuō sān zhǒng yǔyán
He can speak three languages.
12. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Using 会 for permission
Incorrect: 我会进去吗
Correct: 我可以进去吗 (wǒ kěyǐ jìnqù ma)
Mistake 2: Using 可以 for skills
Incorrect: 我可以游泳
Correct: 我会游泳 (wǒ huì yóuyǒng)
Mistake 3: Confusing 能 and 会
Remember:
- 会 = learned skill
- 能 = ability or condition
13. Simple Practice Strategy
To master these:
- Use 会 for skills you learned
- Use 能 for ability or conditions
- Use 可以 for permission or suggestions
Practice by creating simple daily sentences like:
我会做饭。
我能做饭。
我可以做饭吗？
Notice how each one feels different.
14. Natural Everyday Sentences
我会用电脑。
wǒ huì yòng diànnǎo
I can use a computer.
他不能来学校。
tā bù néng lái xuéxiào
He cannot come to school.
你可以问老师 (老师, lǎoshī)。
nǐ kěyǐ wèn lǎoshī
You can ask the teacher.
我们会见面。
wǒmen huì jiànmiàn
We will meet.
孩子能自己吃饭。
háizi néng zìjǐ chī fàn
The child can eat by himself.
15. Final Thoughts
会 (huì), 能 (néng), and 可以 (kěyǐ) are essential for everyday Chinese. Even though they all translate to “can,” their meanings are quite different.
Once you start paying attention to context, choosing the right one becomes much easier. With practice, you’ll naturally pick the correct word without even thinking about it.
New Vocabulary from This Post
会 (huì)- can, know how to, will
能 (néng)- can, be able to
可以 (kěyǐ)- may, be allowed to
开车 (kāichē)- to drive
做饭 (zuò fàn)- to cook
写 (xiě)- to write
打电话 (dǎ diànhuà)- to make a call
跑 (pǎo)- to run
搬 (bān)- to carry
进来 (jìnlái)- to come in
停车 (tíng chē)- to park
见面 (jiànmiàn)- to meet
语言 (yǔyán)- language
抽烟 (chōuyān)- to smoke
电脑 (diànnǎo)- computer
