Choose 会 or 能 for “can”

01 / READExamples

Highlighted words show the grammar pattern. Reveal the English translation when needed.

02 / UNDERSTANDHow it works

English “can” covers several different ideas. Use 会 when your main point is a learned skill: someone knows how to swim, type, cook, or speak a language. Put it before the verb. 我会骑自行车 says that riding a bicycle is a skill I have. 会 does not, by itself, say I have a bicycle available right now.

Use 能 when ability depends on the person’s condition or the surrounding circumstances. Someone may know how to ride but be unable to ride today because of an injury. A schedule, available time, physical capacity, or practical obstacle can also determine whether an action is possible. 会 and 能 overlap in some contexts, so treating every English “can” as a fixed one-word translation will mislead you.

For a request about permission, 可以 is often the clearest choice; it asks whether an action is allowed or acceptable. 会 also has a separate use for predictions, as in saying that something will happen, which is outside the skill contrast here. To choose a word, first finish the thought in English: “knows how,” “is able under these conditions,” or “is allowed.” Then build the Chinese sentence around that meaning.

COMMON MISTAKESWhat to watch for

03 / PRACTISECheck your understanding

04 / VOCABULARYLesson vocabulary

Choose a Chinese word for dictionary definitions, examples and stroke order. The meanings above are specific to this lesson.