Being able to with 能

Structure Subject + 能 + Verb

能 (néng) is "can" in the sense of having the capacity, strength or permission to do something in a specific situation: 我今天不能去 ("I can’t go today"). Unlike 会 (a learned skill), 能 is about whether it is possible NOW. Negate with 不能 and ask with 能不能…?

Examples

我wǒ今jīn天tiān不bù能néng去qù。
I can’t go today.
你nǐ能néng听tīng懂dǒng吗ma？
Can you understand (by listening)?
这zhè里lǐ能néng吃chī饭fàn吗ma？
Can you eat here?

This point and the other 370, with audio on every example, inside Wanyu.

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