会, 能 and 可以

In Chinese, we use different words to express “can”: 会 (huì), 能(néng) and 可以 (kěyǐ). In Chinese, they are all known as auxiliary verbs. What is the difference?

1. 会 has the implied meaning of “knowing how to”. Following 会 are often learned or acquired skills. It can be modified by adverbs such as 很 (hěn), meaning “very”.

S 会 VP wǒ huì dǎ lánqiú. 我 会 打 篮球。

I can play basketball.

lǐtíng huì tán gāngqín. 李婷 会 弹 钢琴。

Li Ting can play the piano.

liúmíng (hěn) huì wán yóuxì. 刘明 (很) 会 玩游戏。

Liu Ming is (very) good at playing games.

会 also has the meaning of “will/shall”. i.e. anticipated or possible occurrence of future events, or expressing confident predictions. eg:

jìzhě huì pāidào nǐ. 记者 会 拍到 你。

The reporter will take a photo of you.

lǎobǎn (míngtiān) huì gàosù nǐ. 老板 (明天) 会 告诉 你。

The boss will tell you (tomorrow).

2. 能 “able to”, indicates possibility due to circumstantial factors.

S 能 VP zhāngzǒng (xiàwǔ) néng kāihuì. 张总 (下午) 能 开会。

Manager Zhang is able to attend the meeting this afternoon.

nǐ néng guòlái yíxià ma? 你 能 过来 一下 吗？

Could you come over here?

3. 可以 “may”, is used to express the meaning of “permission”.

S 可以 VP mǎlù biān bù kěyǐ tíngchē. 马路 边 不 可以 停车。

You may not park at the roadside!

wǒ kěyǐ zuòxià ma? 我 可以 坐下 吗？

May I sit down?

可以 can also suggest an alternative approach or solution to a problem.

nǐ méiyǒu chīfàn ma? wǒ kěyǐ gěinǐ zhǔmiàntiáo.

你 没有 吃饭 吗？我 可以 给你 煮面条。

Haven’t you eaten yet? I can cook noodles for you.

cài yǐjīng liángle，kěyǐ jiārè yíxià.

菜 已经 凉了，可以 加热 一下。

The dish is getting cold. You can heat it up.

rúguǒ méidài xiànjīn，kěyǐ shuākǎ.

如果 没带 现金，可以 刷卡。

If you have no cash, you can pay with card.

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