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  <h1></h1>

  <p>This is one of the trickiest comparisons, as <span class="hanzi">会</span> (<span class="pinyin">huì</span>), <span class="hanzi">能</span> (<span class="pinyin">néng</span>), and <span class="hanzi">可以</span> (<span class="pinyin">kěyǐ</span>) are often translated as "<b>can</b>." Sometimes they are explained as: <span class="hanzi">会</span> means "<b>know how to</b>," <span class="hanzi">能</span> means "<b>to be able to</b>," and <span class="hanzi">可以</span> means "<b>to have permission to.</b>" Actually, they overlap somewhat.</p>

  <h2>Contents</h2>

  <ol>
    <li>Structure<br/></li>

    <li>Examples<br/></li>

    <li>See also<br/></li>

    <li>Sources and further reading<br/></li>

    <ol>
      <li>Books<br/></li>
    </ol>
  </ol>

  <h2 id="basic-meanings">Basic Meanings</h2>

  <p>The words <span class="hanzi">会</span> (<span class="pinyin">huì</span>), <span class="hanzi">能</span> (<span class="pinyin">néng</span>), and <span class="hanzi">可以</span> (<span class="pinyin">kěyǐ</span>) actually overlap a little in meaning. The first step is to understand their basic meanings, though:</p>

  <ol>
    <li><span class="hanzi">会</span> (<span class="pinyin">huì</span>) can mean "<b>know how to</b>" and can express an action that you had to learn or be trained in to do.</li>

    <li><span class="hanzi">能</span> (<span class="pinyin">néng</span>) means "<b>to be able to</b>" and expresses having a certain ability or having obtained a certain minimum requirement.</li>

    <li><span class="hanzi">可以</span> (<span class="pinyin">kěyǐ</span>) means "<b>may</b>" or "to be allowed to" and expresses having another person's permission.</li>
  </ol>

  <p>As for overlap, this graphic helps explain nicely:</p>

  <figure>
    <img src="../Images/Hui-neng-keyi-venn-diagram.png" title="Hui-neng-keyi-venn-diagram.png" alt="Hui-neng-keyi-venn-diagram.png"/>

    <figcaption>Hui-neng-keyi-venn-diagram.png</figcaption>
  </figure>

  <p>The regions marked by letters are explained in the sections below:</p>

  <ul>
    <li>A: ability in the sense of “<b>know how to</b>” (会 (<span class="pinyin">huì</span>) is more common than 能 (néng))</li>

    <li>B: permission/request (use <span class="hanzi">能</span> (<span class="pinyin">néng</span>) or <span class="hanzi">可以</span> (<span class="pinyin">kěyǐ</span>))</li>

    <li>C: possibility (use <span class="hanzi">能</span> (<span class="pinyin">néng</span>) or <span class="hanzi">可以</span> (<span class="pinyin">kěyǐ</span>))</li>

    <li>D: permission not granted (use <span class="hanzi">不可以</span> (<span class="pinyin">bù kěyǐ</span>))</li>

    <li>E: impossibility (use <span class="hanzi">不能</span> (<span class="pinyin">bù néng</span>))</li>
  </ul>

  <h2 id="expressing-ability">Expressing Ability</h2>

  <p>Both <span class="hanzi">会</span> and <span class="hanzi">能</span> can be used to express ability in something.</p>

  <h3 id="structure">Structure</h3>

  <div>
    <div class="deux">
      <span style="color: rgb(255, 127, 80); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 30px;">会／能</span> + Verb
    </div>
  </div>

  <h3 id="examples">Examples</h3>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="hanzi">我们 都 会 游泳 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen dōu huì yóuyǒng.</span><br/><span> We all can swim.</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">他 不 会 修 电脑 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Tā bù huì xiū diànnǎo.</span><br/><span> He doesn't know how to fix computers.</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">你 真的 能 吃 三 碗 米饭 吗 ？</span> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ zhēnde néng chī sān wǎn mǐfàn ma?</span><br/><span> Are you really able to eat three bowls of rice?</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <p>Example dialogue:</p>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li>A: <span class="pinyin"><span class="hanzi">你 会 说 中文 吗 ？</span> A: Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?</span><br/><span> Can you speak Chinese?</span></li>

      <li>B: <span class="pinyin"><span class="hanzi">不 好意思 ，我 只 能 说 一点 。</span> B: Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ zhǐ néng shuō yīdiǎn.</span><br/><span> Sorry, I can only speak a little.</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <h2 id="expressing-permission">Expressing Permission</h2>

  <p><span style="color: rgb(139, 0, 0); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 22px;">可以</span> is used to ask for or give permission. However, <span class="hanzi">能</span> can also be used to replace <span class="hanzi">可以</span> interchangeably.</p>

  <p>Note: When a question is asked using <span class="hanzi">能/可以</span> it can be answered with <span class="hanzi">不能/不可以</span>, meaning no, and only <span class="hanzi">可以 </span> eaning yes. Chinese don't really answer with just <span class="hanzi">能</span>。</p>

  <h3 id="structure-1">Structure</h3>

  <div>
    <div class="deux">
      <span style="color: rgb(255, 127, 80); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 30px;">可以 / 能</span> + Verb
    </div>
  </div>

  <h3 id="examples-1">Examples</h3>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="hanzi">我 可以 走 了 吗 ？</span> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ kěyǐ zǒu le ma?</span><br/><span> Am I allowed to leave now?</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">你 能 不 能 帮 我 一下 吗 ？</span> <span class="pinyin">Nǐ néng bu néng bāng wǒ yīxià ma?</span><br/><span> Could you help me a bit?</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">动物 不 能 进 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Dòngwù bù néng jìn.</span><br/><span> Animals are not allowed to come in.</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <p>Example dialogue:</p>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li>A: <span class="pinyin"><span class="hanzi">我 能 在 这里 抽烟 吗 ？</span> A: Wǒ néng zài zhèlǐ chōuyān ma?</span><br/><span> Can I smoke here?</span></li>

      <li>B: <span class="pinyin"><span class="hanzi">不 可以 。</span> B: Bù kěyǐ.</span><br/><span> No, you can't.</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <h2 id="expressing-possibility">Expressing Possibility</h2>

  <p><span style="color: rgb(139, 0, 0); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 22px;">能</span> and <span class="hanzi">可以</span> can also be used to express possibility.</p>

  <h3 id="structure-2">Structure</h3>

  <div>
    <div class="deux">
      <span style="color: rgb(255, 127, 80); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 30px;">可以 / 能</span> + Verb
    </div>
  </div>

  <h3 id="example">Example</h3>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="hanzi">明天 你 能 早点 来 吗 ？</span> <span class="pinyin">Míngtiān nǐ néng zǎodiǎn lái ma?</span><br/><span> Is it possible for you to come al little earlier tomorrow?</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">可 不 可以 换 一 个 ？</span><span class="pinyin"> Kě bù kěyǐ huàn yī gè?</span><br/><span> Is it possible to change it?</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">能 不 参加 吗 ？</span> <span class="pinyin">Néngbù cānjiā ma?</span><br/><span> Is it possible to not attend?</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <p>Example dialogue:</p>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li>A: <span class="pinyin"><span class="hanzi">能 不 能 取消 今天 的 课 ？</span> A: Néng bù néng qǔxiāo jīntiān de kè?</span><br/><span> Is it possible to cancel today's lesson?</span></li>

      <li>B: <span class="pinyin"><span class="hanzi">不 能 。</span> B: Bù néng.</span><br/><span> Impossible.</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <h2 id="talking-about-the-future">Talking about the Future</h2>

  <p>Only <span class="hanzi">会</span> can be used to mean something is going to happen. It expresses that something in the future will happen and is often used to express trends or possibilities.</p>

  <h3 id="structure-3">Structure</h3>

  <div>
    <div class="deux">
      <span style="color: rgb(255, 127, 80); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 30px;">会</span> + Verb / Adj.
    </div>
  </div>

  <h3 id="examples-2">Examples</h3>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="hanzi">他 不 会 跟 你 结婚 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Tā bù huì gēn nǐ jiéhūn.</span><br/><span> He's not going to marry you.</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">你 会 生 我 的 气 吗 ？</span><span class="pinyin"> Nǐ huì shēng wǒ de qì ma?</span><br/><span> Will you be mad at me?</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">这样 穿 会 好看 吗 ？</span> <span class="pinyin">Zhèyàng chuān huì hǎokàn ma?</span><br/><span> Will I look good if I dress like this?</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <p>Example dialogue:</p>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li>A: <span class="pinyin"><span class="hanzi">今天 会 下雨 吗 ？</span> Jīntiān huì xiàyǔ ma?</span><br/><span> Is it going to rain today?</span></li>

      <li>B: <span class="pinyin"><span class="hanzi">我看 不 会 。</span> Wǒ kàn bù huì.</span><br/><span> I don't think it will.</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <h2 id="using-adverbs-to-add-emphasis">Using Adverbs to Add Emphasis</h2>

  <p>By placing <span class="hanzi">很</span> (<span class="pinyin">hěn</span>) before <span class="hanzi">会</span>, it adds emphasis to the level of ability and skill on the action presented. <span class="hanzi">很会</span> is commonly used to mean '<b>to be good at</b>" and expresses being <b>very skillful</b> at something, or doing something very well. It can be translated as "<b>really can</b>," as in "<b>you really can speak Chinese!</b>," in other words, "<b>you are good at speaking Chinese.</b>"</p>

  <p>When <span class="hanzi">很</span> is placed in front of <span class="hanzi">能</span>, the meaning takes on a amazed/surprised tone on the action. Although more rarely used, it emphasis quantity and amount. <span class="hanzi">很能</span> is most commonly used with <span class="hanzi">吃</span>(<span class="pinyin">chī</span>) to eat, and <span class="hanzi">睡</span> (<span class="pinyin">shuì</span>) to sleep. It's like the English equivalent of saying you "<b>can really</b>" do something. For example saying that someone "<b>can really sleep</b>" means that they can sleep a lot.</p>

  <p>Note: <span class="hanzi">很可以</span> is not a phrase and therefore can not be used with <span class="hanzi">会</span> to add emphasis. Other adverbs like <span class="hanzi">真 </span> <span class="pinyin">zhēn</span>), <span class="hanzi">太</span> (<span class="pinyin">tài</span>), <span class="hanzi">这么</span> (<span class="pinyin">zhème</span>) etc. can also be used.</p>

  <h3 id="structure-4">Structure</h3>

  <div>
    <div class="deux">
      <span style="color: rgb(255, 127, 80); font-family: NotoSansCJKsc; font-size: 30px;">很 + 会／能</span> + Verb
    </div>
  </div>

  <h3 id="examples-3">Examples</h3>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="hanzi">这个 女生 很 会 打扮 </span>。<span class="pinyin"> Zhège nǚshēng hěn huì dǎban.</span><br/><span> This girl knows how to dress up really well.</span></li>

      <li><span class="vert"><span class="hanzi">我 妈妈 很 会 做饭 。</span> My mom cooks very well.</span><span class="pinyin"> Wǒ māma hěn huì zuòfàn.</span><br/><span> My mother really knows how to cook.</span></li>

      <li><span class="vert"><span class="hanzi">他 很 会 说话 。</span> The subject has good speaking skills.</span><span class="pinyin"> Tā hěn huì shuōhuà.</span><br/><span> He's a smooth talker.</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">他 很能 说 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Tā hěn néng shuō.</span><br/><span> He's quite a talker.</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <p>Note that <span class="hanzi"><strike>很可以说</strike></span> is wrong and it doesn't mean anything.</p>

  <p>Examples used with other adverbs:</p>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="vert"><span class="hanzi">他 太 能 睡 了 。</span> The subject can sleep a lot, for many hours.</span><span class="pinyin"> Tā tài néng shuì le.</span><br/><span> He can really sleep.</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">没想到 你 这么能 吃苦 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Méixiǎngdào nǐ zhème néng chīkǔ.</span><br/><span> I didn't expect you to be a person who can handle so many burdens.</span></li>

      <li><span class="vert"><span class="hanzi">你 真能 吃 !</span> The subject can eat a lot.</span><span class="pinyin"> Nǐ zhēn néng chī!</span><br/><span> Wow, you really can eat!</span></li>

      <li><span class="vert"><span class="hanzi">中国 人 真会 吃 !</span> The subject has great knowledge about food and its culture, a true connoisseur.</span><span class="pinyin"> Zhōngguó rén zhēn huì chī!</span><br/><span> Chinese people really can eat.</span></li>
    </ul>

    <p>Note that <span class="hanzi"><strike>很可以吃</strike></span> is wrong and it doesn't mean anything.</p>
  </div>

  <h2 id="similar-expression-with-different-meanings">Similar expression with different meanings</h2>

  <div class="exemple">
    <ul>
      <li><span class="hanzi">我 的 脚 好 了 ，现在 又 能 跳舞 了 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ de jiǎo hǎo le, xiànzài yòu néng tiàowǔ le.</span><br/><span> I am able to dance now since my foot is better. (The condition changed)</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">我 学 了 两 个 月 ，现在 我 会 跳舞 了 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ xué le liǎng gè yuè, xiànzài wǒ huì tiàowǔ le.</span><br/><span> I studied for two months. I know how to dance now. (It's a learned skill)</span></li>

      <li><span class="hanzi">我 爸妈 同意 了 ，现在 我 可以 跳舞 了 。</span> <span class="pinyin">Wǒ fùmǔ tóngyì le, xiànzài wǒ kěyǐ tiàowǔ le.</span><br/><span> My parents agreed. I'm allowed to dance now. (The dad gave permission)</span></li>
    </ul>
  </div>

  <p>Note that none of the three can be followed by the aspectual particle 过.</p>

  <p>For a good visualization on how these three overlap, check out the [<a href="http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram" class="uri">http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram</a>| Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram].</p>

  <h2 id="see-also">See Also</h2>

  <ul>
    <li><a href="Auxiliary_verb_&quot;hui&quot;_for_&quot;will&quot;" title="wikilink">Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"</a></li>

    <li><a href="Expressing_a_learned_skill" title="wikilink">Expressing a learned skill</a></li>

    <li><a href="Expressing_ability_or_possibility" title="wikilink">Expressing ability or possibility</a></li>

    <li><a href="Expressing_permission" title="wikilink">Expressing permission</a></li>
  </ul>

  <h2 id="sources-and-further-reading">Sources and further reading</h2>

  <h3 id="books">Books</h3>

  <ul>
    <li><span class="hanzi">对外汉语教学语法释疑201例</span> (p.55,p.65)</li>

    <li>Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 219-20)</li>
  </ul>

  <h3 id="dictionaries">Dictionaries</h3>

  <ul>
    <li><span class="hanzi">现代汉语词典（第5版）</span> (<span class="hanzi">能</span> p.989， <span class="hanzi">可以</span> p.773，<span class="hanzi">会</span> p.610)</li>
  </ul>

  <h3 id="websites">Websites</h3>

  <ul>
    <li><a href="http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2009/10/13/chinese-modal-verb-venn-diagram"> Sinosplice: Chinese Modal Verb Venn Diagram</a></li>
  </ul>
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