Correct

会 vs 能

/ huì vs néng / 
Strokes

Definition

Both 会 (huì) and 能 (néng) can mean "can" or "be able to," but they are used in different contexts and have different implications. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. 会 (huì) – Learned Ability or Future Possibility

Usage:

Learned Skill (Ability Acquired Through Study/Practice)

  • Used for skills you’ve learned (e.g., languages, sports, driving).
  • Similar to "know how to" in English.
  • 我会说中文。 (Wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén.) – "I can speak Chinese." (I learned it.)
  • 她会游泳。 (Tā huì yóuyǒng.) – "She can swim." (She knows how.)

 

Future Possibility (Likelihood or Prediction)

  • Used to express what will probably happen in the future.
  • Often used with 明天 (tomorrow), 可能 (maybe), or 一定 (definitely).
  • 明天会下雨。 (Míngtiān huì xiàyǔ.) – "It will rain tomorrow."
  • 他一定会来。 (Tā yídìng huì lái.) – "He will definitely come."

 

Being Good at Something (Skillful)

  • Used with 很 (hěn) to mean "be good at."
  • 他很会唱歌。 (Tā hěn huì chànggē.) – "He is good at singing."
  • 她很会做饭。 (Tā hěn huì zuòfàn.) – "She is good at cooking."

 

2. 能 (néng) – Physical Ability, Permission, or Circumstantial Possibility

Usage:

Physical Ability (Inherent or Temporary Capability)

  • Used for things you are physically able to do (not learned).
  • Can also mean recovery of ability (e.g., after an injury).
  • 我能举起这个箱子。 (Wǒ néng jǔqǐ zhège xiāngzi.) – "I can lift this box." (Physical strength)
  • 他的腿好了，现在能走路了。 (Tā de tuǐ hǎo le, xiànzài néng zǒulù le.) – "His leg is better; now he can walk again."

 

Permission (Allowed to Do Something)

  • Used in questions or negative sentences to ask for/give permission.
  • 我能进来吗？ (Wǒ néng jìnlái ma?) – "Can I come in?" (Asking permission)
  • 这里不能吸烟。 (Zhèlǐ bù néng xīyān.) – "You can’t smoke here." (Not allowed)

 

Circumstantial Possibility (External Conditions Allow It)

  • Used when external factors make something possible or impossible.
  • 今天太忙，我不能去。 (Jīntiān tài máng, wǒ bù néng qù.) – "I’m too busy today; I can’t go."
  • 火车票卖完了，我们不能去了。 (Huǒchē piào mài wán le, wǒmen bù néng qù le.) – "The train tickets are sold out; we can’t go."

 

3. Key Differences Summary

Feature会 (huì)能 (néng)
Learned Ability✅ (e.g., languages, driving)❌
Physical Ability❌✅ (e.g., lifting, running)
Permission❌✅ (e.g., "Can I go?")
Future Possibility✅ (e.g., "It will rain")❌
External Conditions❌✅ (e.g., "I can’t because...")
Skill Level✅ (e.g., "good at cooking")❌

 

Final Summary

  • Use 会 (huì) for learned skills, future predictions, or being good at something.
  • Use 能 (néng) for physical ability, permission, or circumstantial possibility.

Example

To master knowledge, skill, etc. through learning, 会 is used.
Both words (会 and 能) are Auxiliary Verbs and interchangeable in many cases.
In example ① of 他会说英语 can also be said as 他能说英语 which stresses the ability.
In examples ② and ③, if 能 takes the place of 会, the concern will be possibility.
1
Tā
他
huì
会
shuō
说
  
(
néng
能
  
)
yīngyǔ
英语
  
。

He can speak English.

2
Wǒ
我
bùhuì
不会
  
(
néng
能
  
)
yòng
用
diànnǎo
电脑
  
。

I cannot use computers.

3
Nǐ
你
huì
会
bù
不
huì
会
  
(
néng
能
bù
不
néng
能
  
)
dàn
弹
gāngqín
钢琴
  
?

Can you play piano?

To have the ability to do sth. or to acquire certain efficiency, 能 is used.
4
Nǐ
你
néng
能
bāng
帮
wǒ
我
jìsuàn
计算
yī
一
xià
下
zhèxiē
这些
shùzì
数字
ma
吗
  
?

Can you help me calculate these numbers?

5
Tā
他
bìng
病
le
了
  
,
bù
不
néng
能
qù
去
le
了
  
。

He was sick and couldn't go.

6
Yīgè
一个
xiǎoshí
小时
zhīnèi
之内
  
,
tā
她
néng
能
gǎnlái
赶来
ma
吗
  
?

Within an hour, can she come?

To show great probability, 会 is used.
7
Kàn
看
zhè
这
tiānqì
天气
  
,
hǎoxiàng
好像
huì
会
xiàyǔ
下雨
  
。

Looking at this weather, it seems that it will rain.

8
Zhème
这么
wǎn
晚
le
了
  
,
tā
她
bùhuì
不会
lái
来
le
了
  
。

It's so late, she won't come.

9
Shùshàng
树上
de
的
guǒzi
果子
shú
熟
le
了
  
,
zìrán
自然
huì
会
diào
掉
xiàlái
下来
  
。

When the fruit on the tree is ripe, it will naturally fall.

会 is also a verb meaning "to master, to know (knowledge, skill, etc.)"
10
Tā
她
huì
会
fǎyǔ
法语
  
。

She can speak French.

11
Lǎozhāng
老张
huì
会
shūfǎ
书法
  
。

Lao Zhang is adept at calligraphy.

12
Wǒ
我
yī
一
gōu
句
hànyǔ
汉语
yě
也
bùhuì
不会
  
。

I cannot speak Chinese at all.

Mistake

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Wrong: 我能说中文。 (Wǒ néng shuō Zhōngwén.) → Sounds like "I am physically able to speak Chinese" (unnatural).

✅ Correct: 我会说中文。 (Wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén.) – "I can speak Chinese." (Learned skill)

 

❌ Wrong: 他会游泳，但今天病了，不会游。 (Tā huì yóuyǒng, dàn jīntiān bìng le, bù huì yóu.) → Should use 能 for temporary inability.  

✅ Correct: 他会游泳，但今天病了，不能游。 (Tā huì yóuyǒng, dàn jīntiān bìng le, bù néng yóu.) – "He can swim, but he’s sick today, so he can’t."

Exercise

Practice Sentences

Choose 会 or 能:

  • 我____开车。 (会 – learned skill)
  • 你____帮我吗？ (能 – asking permission)
  • 明天____下雨。 (会 – future prediction)
  • 他____举起100公斤。 (能 – physical ability)

 

Translate:

  • "She can play piano." → 她____弹钢琴。 (会)
  • "Can I leave early?" → 我____早点走吗？ (能)