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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing ability or future action with 会 (huì)

    Aspect & Tense
    Permission & Ability

    Structure

    Subject + 会 + Verb

    Explanation

    The auxiliary verb 会 (huì) has two main uses: expressing learned ability ("can" or "know how to") and indicating future actions ("will"). It is placed before the main verb. For example, 我会游泳 means "I can swim," while 他会来 means "He will come."

    Examples

    • 你会做中国菜吗？

      Nǐ huì zuò Zhōngguó cài ma?

      Can you cook Chinese food?

    • 明天会下雨，别忘了带伞。

      Míngtiān huì xià yǔ, bié wàng le dài sǎn.

      It will rain tomorrow — don't forget to bring an umbrella.

    • 我小时候不会骑自行车。

      Wǒ xiǎo shíhou bú huì qí zìxíngchē.

      When I was little, I couldn't ride a bicycle.

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