💎 Chinese Modal Verbs - 会, 能, 可以 (huì, néng, kě yǐ) - Essential Ability & Permission Expressions
Master the crucial differences between Chinese modal verbs 会 (acquired skills), 能 (physical ability), and 可以 (permission). Learn to express abilities, possibilities, and permissions with precision in daily communication.
Chinese lesson from Tuesday, July 29, 2025
🎯 Essential Chinese Modal Verbs: 会, 能, 可以
Learn the fundamental differences between 会 (know how to - acquired skills), 能 (be able to - physical/circumstantial ability), and 可以 (may/can - permission). Master expressing different types of abilities and permissions with cultural appropriateness and precise meaning.
Perfect for beginners and essential concepts
📚 Key Phrase: 你会说中文吗？ (nǐ huì shuō zhōngwén ma?)
Grammar Focus
1. 会 (huì) - "Know How To" (Acquired Skills)
Subject + 会 + Verb
Subject + huì + Verb
Expresses learned skills, acquired abilities, or knowledge obtained through practice
Subject + huì + Verb
Expresses learned skills, acquired abilities, or knowledge obtained through practice
• 你会说中文吗？ = Can you speak Chinese? (learned skill)
• 他会开车，也会骑自行车 = He can drive and also ride a bicycle (learned abilities)
• Implies the skill was learned through practice or education
• Cannot be used for physical capability or permission
• 他会开车，也会骑自行车 = He can drive and also ride a bicycle (learned abilities)
• Implies the skill was learned through practice or education
• Cannot be used for physical capability or permission
你会说中文吗？
Can you speak Chinese? (Do you know how to speak Chinese?)
2. 能 (néng) - "Be Able To" (Physical/Circumstantial Ability)
Subject + 能 + Verb
Subject + néng + Verb
Expresses physical capability or circumstantial possibility
Subject + néng + Verb
Expresses physical capability or circumstantial possibility
• 我能跑很快 = I can run very fast (physical ability)
• 今天我能来 = I can come today (circumstantial possibility)
• Used for physical strength, health conditions, or situational constraints
• Focuses on whether conditions allow for the action
• 今天我能来 = I can come today (circumstantial possibility)
• Used for physical strength, health conditions, or situational constraints
• Focuses on whether conditions allow for the action
3. 可以 (kě yǐ) - "May/Can" (Permission & Possibility)
Subject + 可以 + Verb
Subject + kě yǐ + Verb
Expresses permission, allowance, or general possibility
Subject + kě yǐ + Verb
Expresses permission, allowance, or general possibility
• 你可以进来 = You may come in (permission)
• 这里可以停车 = You can park here (allowable action)
• Used when asking for or giving permission
• More polite and formal than 能 in many contexts
• 这里可以停车 = You can park here (allowable action)
• Used when asking for or giving permission
• More polite and formal than 能 in many contexts
他会开车，也会骑自行车。
He can drive a car and also ride a bicycle (he knows how to do both)
4. Negation Patterns with Modal Verbs
不 + Modal Verb + Verb
bù + huì/néng/kě yǐ + Verb
Different negation patterns create different meanings
bù + huì/néng/kě yǐ + Verb
Different negation patterns create different meanings
• 我不会说中文 = I don't know how to speak Chinese (lack of skill)
• 我不能来 = I can't come (unable due to circumstances)
• 你不可以进去 = You may not go in (not permitted)
• Each negation has distinct implications about the reason for inability
• 我不能来 = I can't come (unable due to circumstances)
• 你不可以进去 = You may not go in (not permitted)
• Each negation has distinct implications about the reason for inability
5. Common Expressions and Patterns
Compound Structures and Multiple Modals
Combining modals for nuanced meaning
Advanced patterns for sophisticated expression
Combining modals for nuanced meaning
Advanced patterns for sophisticated expression
• 我想去北京 = I want to go to Beijing (desire, not ability)
• 他在吃饭 = He is eating (progressive aspect)
• 你喜欢喝茶还是咖啡？ = Do you prefer tea or coffee? (preference)
• Modal verbs interact with other aspects of Chinese grammar
• 他在吃饭 = He is eating (progressive aspect)
• 你喜欢喝茶还是咖啡？ = Do you prefer tea or coffee? (preference)
• Modal verbs interact with other aspects of Chinese grammar
你会说中文吗？
nǐ huì shuō zhōngwén ma?
Can you speak Chinese?
¿Sabes hablar chino?
词汇 Vocabulary Practice
Practice writing the phrases from today's Chinese lesson!
你会说中文吗？
nǐ huì shuō zhōngwén ma?
English:
Can you speak Chinese?
Español:
¿Sabes hablar chino?
我想去北京。
wǒ xiǎng qù Běijīng.
English:
I want to go to Beijing.
Español:
Quiero ir a Pekín.
昨天我买了一本书。
zuótiān wǒ mǎi le yī běn shū.
English:
Yesterday I bought a book.
Español:
Ayer compré un libro.
他在吃饭。
tā zài chī fàn.
English:
He is eating.
Español:
Él está comiendo.
你喜欢喝茶还是咖啡？
nǐ xǐhuān hē chá háishi kāfēi?
English:
Do you like to drink tea or coffee?
Español:
¿Te gusta más beber té o café?
今天的天气很好。
jīntiān de tiānqì hěn hǎo.
English:
Today's weather is very good.
Español:
El clima de hoy es muy bueno.
你家有几口人？
nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén?
English:
How many people are in your family?
Español:
¿Cuántas personas hay en tu familia?
我没有时间。
wǒ méi yǒu shíjiān.
English:
I don't have time.
Español:
No tengo tiempo.
她比我高。
tā bǐ wǒ gāo.
English:
She is taller than me.
Español:
Ella es más alta que yo.
我们一起去看电影吧！
wǒmen yīqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng ba!
English:
Let's go watch a movie together!
Español:
¡Vamos juntos a ver una película!
你的手机在哪儿？
nǐ de shǒujī zài nǎr?
English:
Where is your mobile phone?
Español:
¿Dónde está tu móvil?
我每天早上跑步。
wǒ měitiān zǎoshang pǎobù.
English:
I run every morning.
Español:
Yo corro todas las mañanas.
请给我一杯水。
qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi shuǐ.
English:
Please give me a glass of water.
Español:
Por favor, dame un vaso de agua.
他会开车，也会骑自行车。
tā huì kāichē, yě huì qí zìxíngchē.
English:
He can drive a car and also ride a bicycle.
Español:
Él sabe conducir y también montar en bici.
文化 Cultural Insights
💎 Chinese modal verbs 会, 能, and 可以 reflect fundamental cultural concepts about competence, ability, and social appropriateness. 会 (huì) emphasizes learned skills and acquired knowledge, showing respect for education and practice - essential values in Chinese culture where continuous learning is highly valued. 能 (néng) focuses on practical capability and realistic limitations, reflecting Chinese pragmatism and acknowledgment of physical or circumstantial constraints. 可以 (kě yǐ) demonstrates awareness of social rules, permissions, and hierarchies, crucial for maintaining harmony in Chinese society. The choice between these modals affects how others perceive your cultural sophistication and social awareness. Using 会 for learned skills shows respect for others' expertise and education. Using 能 appropriately demonstrates realistic self-assessment and consideration for practical constraints. Using 可以 correctly shows understanding of social boundaries and proper procedures. Mastering these distinctions is essential for natural Chinese communication and reflects deep cultural integration, as native speakers unconsciously choose modals based on these cultural frameworks.
🎯 Advanced Modal Verb Applications & Cultural Fluency
Master sophisticated usage of Chinese modal verbs in complex social and professional contexts. Practice distinguishing between different types of ability and permission, understanding cultural implications, and adapting your modal verb choice to different relationships and situations.
For students ready to dive deeper
📖 Reading Practice
📖 能力表达练习 - Ability Expression Practice
你会说中文吗？我会说一点。
我想去北京旅游，你能给我介绍吗？
昨天我买了一本书，今天可以看。
他在吃饭，不能接电话。
你喜欢喝茶还是咖啡？我都可以。
今天的天气很好，我们可以去公园。
你家有几口人？我能见见他们吗？
我没有时间，不能和你一起去看电影。
📝 Vocabulary from this reading:
说
shuō
To speak, to say
中文
zhōngwén
Chinese language
北京
Běijīng
Beijing
昨天
zuótiān
Yesterday
本
běn
Measure word for books
吃饭
chī fàn
To eat (a meal)
天气
tiānqì
Weather
口
kǒu
Measure word for people (family)
时间
shíjiān
Time
比
bǐ
To compare, than
电影
diànyǐng
Movie, film
手机
shǒujī
Mobile phone
跑步
pǎobù
To run, jogging
开车
kāichē
To drive a car
自行车
zìxíngchē
Bicycle
📚 Additional Learning Content
💎 Cultural Context: Chinese Concepts of Ability & Permission
The Chinese modal verb system reflects deep cultural values about learning, competence, social hierarchy, and appropriate behavior. Understanding these cultural underpinnings helps explain why native speakers make specific modal verb choices and how these choices are interpreted by listeners.
Traditional Values and Modern Usage
Confucian Influence on Ability Expression
Historical values affecting modern modal verb usage
Educational and Professional Context
How modal verbs reflect Chinese attitudes toward competence
Historical values affecting modern modal verb usage
• 会 reflects respect for learning and acquired knowledge
• 能 acknowledges physical limitations and realistic capabilities
• 可以 shows awareness of social rules and hierarchies
• Modal choice demonstrates cultural sophistication and social awareness
• 能 acknowledges physical limitations and realistic capabilities
• 可以 shows awareness of social rules and hierarchies
• Modal choice demonstrates cultural sophistication and social awareness
Educational and Professional Context
How modal verbs reflect Chinese attitudes toward competence
• Using 会 shows respect for others' skills and education
• 能 acknowledges practical constraints without losing face
• 可以 demonstrates understanding of proper procedures
• Correct usage indicates cultural integration and social competence
• 能 acknowledges practical constraints without losing face
• 可以 demonstrates understanding of proper procedures
• Correct usage indicates cultural integration and social competence
Daily Life Applications and Social Interactions
Workplace and Professional Communication
Modal verbs in professional Chinese environments
Family and Personal Relationships
How modals express care, concern, and mutual support
Modal verbs in professional Chinese environments
• 你会用这个软件吗？ = Can you use this software? (professional competence)
• 今天能加班吗？ = Can you work overtime today? (availability/capability)
• 可以请假吗？ = May I take leave? (permission request)
• Each modal creates different expectations about the response
• 今天能加班吗？ = Can you work overtime today? (availability/capability)
• 可以请假吗？ = May I take leave? (permission request)
• Each modal creates different expectations about the response
Family and Personal Relationships
How modals express care, concern, and mutual support
• 你会做饭吗？ = Can you cook? (skill inquiry, often caring)
• 你能帮我吗？ = Can you help me? (request based on availability)
• 可以告诉我吗？ = May you tell me? (polite information request)
• Modal choice affects relationship dynamics and emotional tone
• 你能帮我吗？ = Can you help me? (request based on availability)
• 可以告诉我吗？ = May you tell me? (polite information request)
• Modal choice affects relationship dynamics and emotional tone
作业 Homework & Practice
📝 Homework for next class:
1. 🎯 Modal Verb Practice: Use 会, 能, and 可以 in different contexts and notice native speaker reactions to your choices
2. 💼 Professional Context: Practice modal verbs in work situations - asking about skills (会), availability (能), and permissions (可以)
3. 👨👩👧👦 Family Conversations: Use appropriate modals when discussing abilities and permissions with family members or close friends
4. 🏫 Learning Context: Practice 你会...吗？ patterns when asking about others' skills and abilities
5. 🚫 Negation Practice: Use 不会, 不能, and 不可以 appropriately and understand the different implications
6. 🎭 Cultural Sensitivity: Pay attention to which modal native speakers choose in different situations and contexts
💡 Cultural Challenge: Listen to how Chinese speakers use modal verbs in different social contexts - this will help you understand the cultural values behind language choices and improve your social appropriateness!
Practice Checklist:
Ready for More?
Continue your Chinese learning journey with live classes on TikTok. Join thousands of students learning Mandarin every day!
Join Live Classes