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Expressing ability or possibility with auxiliary 能 (néng)
HSK 1Permission & Ability
Structure
Subject + 能 + Verb + Object
Explanation
As an auxiliary verb, 能 (néng) means "can" or "to be able to" and is placed before the main verb to express ability, possibility, or permission. It covers both physical capability and circumstances that make something possible. It is one of the most essential and frequently used auxiliary verbs in Chinese.
Examples
你能帮我拿一下那本书吗？
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ná yíxià nà běn shū ma?
Can you help me grab that book?
她能说三种语言，真了不起。
Tā néng shuō sān zhǒng yǔyán, zhēn liǎobuqǐ.
She can speak three languages — that's really amazing.
今天太晚了，我不能去了。
Jīntiān tài wǎn le, wǒ bù néng qù le.
It's too late today; I can't go anymore.