The word 会 (huì) can be used to express an ability that has been
learned (a skill). In this case 会 (huì) is an [auxiliary
verb](auxiliary_verb "wikilink").

Basic Usage
-----------

### Structure

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 会 + Verb + Obj.

</div>
This structure is the easiest way to express all kinds of skills, from
languages, to sports, to skills in daily life such as cooking and
driving.

### Examples

<div class="liju">
-   他 <em>会</em> 说 中文。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>huì</em> shuō
    Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">He can speak Chinese.</span>
-   我 <em>会</em> 写 汉字。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>huì</em> xiě
    Hànzì.</span><span class="trans">I can write Chinese
    characters.</span>
-   你 <em>会</em> 做饭 吗？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>huì</em> zuòfàn
    ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you cook food？</span>
-   狗 <em>会</em> 唱 歌 吗？<span class="pinyin">Gǒu <em>huì</em>
    chànggē ma?</span><span class="trans">Can dogs sing？</span>
-   爸爸 <em>会</em> 开车。<span class="pinyin">Bàba <em>huì</em>
    kāichē.</span><span class="trans"> Dad can drive.</span>

</div>
Negating 会 (huì) Sentences
---------------------------

### Structure

会 (huì) sentences are [negated with 不
(bù)](Standard_negation_with_"bu" "wikilink"), which is inserted in
front of 会 (huì):

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 不 + 会 + Verb + Obj.

</div>
Again, this is the simplest way to express the lack of a learned
ability. So while "can't" is a natural translation for "不会" (bù huì)
in English, "don't know how to" is equally correct (and perhaps more
helpful).

Also, due to a [tone change
rule](http://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/pronunciation/Tone_change_rules)
for "不" (bù), the phrase "不会" (bù huì) is actually pronounced "bú
huì."

### Examples

<div class="liju">
-   我 <em>不会</em> 说 英文。<span class="pinyin"> Wǒ <em>bù huì</em>
    shuō Yīngwén.</span><span class="trans">I can't speak
    English.</span>
-   妈妈 <em>不会</em> 做 中国 菜。<span class="pinyin">Māma <em>bù
    huì</em> zuò Zhōngguó cài.</span><span class="trans">Mom can't cook
    Chinese food.</span>
-   你 <em>不会</em> 游泳 吗？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ <em>bù huì</em>
    yóuyǒng ma?</span><span class="trans">You can't swim?</span>
-   我 奶奶 <em>不会</em> 用 电脑。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ nǎinai <em>bù
    huì</em> yòng diànnǎo.</span><span class="trans">My grandmother
    can't use a computer.</span>
-   你 <em>不会</em> 开车 吗？<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>bù huì</em>
    kāichē ma?</span><span class="trans">You can't drive a car?</span>

</div>
Note that if we say 我不能说中文 (wǒ bù néng shuō Zhōngwén), the speaker
is saying that he can't speak Chinese [for some reason other than his
own ability](Expressing_ability_or_possibility_with_"neng" "wikilink"),
perhaps because speaking Chinese in English class is forbidden.

See also
--------

-   [Expressing ability or possibility with
    "neng"](Expressing_ability_or_possibility_with_"neng" "wikilink")

Sources and further reading
---------------------------

-   [Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1
    (3rd ed)](Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_1_(3rd_ed) "wikilink") (pp.
    219-20)
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385)
-   [New Practical Chinese Reader
    1 (新实用汉语课本1)](New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_1_(新实用汉语课本1) "wikilink") (pp.
    160-1, 200)
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561910401/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561910401)
-   [New Practical Chinese Reader 1
    (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)](New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_1_(新实用汉语课本1)(2nd_ed) "wikilink") (pp.
    185-7, 228)
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561926235/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7561926235)

[Category:A1 grammar points](Category:A1_grammar_points "wikilink")