语法 · HSK 1–3
会 vs 能 vs 可以: "can" in Chinese
会 is a learned skill: 我会游泳 "I can swim". 能 is ability or possibility in a situation: 我今天不能游泳，我感冒了. 可以 is permission: 这里可以游泳吗？ "Is swimming allowed here?" 会 also predicts the future: 明天会下雨.
句型Patterns
会 + VerbLearned skill; also "will (likely)".能 + VerbAble to in the circumstances; also capacity: 他能吃三碗饭.可以 + VerbAllowed to; polite requests: 我可以进来吗？不能 / 不可以Not allowed: 这里不能抽烟.
例句Examples
- 我会说一点儿中文。wǒ huì shuō yì diǎnr zhōng wén.I can speak a little Chinese.
- 我明天有事，不能来。wǒ míng tiān yǒu shì, bù néng lái.I have something on tomorrow, so I can't come.
- 我可以用一下你的笔吗？wǒ kě yǐ yòng yí xià nǐ de bǐ ma?May I use your pen for a moment?
- 明天会下雨吗？míng tiān huì xià yǔ ma?Will it rain tomorrow?
常见错误Common mistakes
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✗我能说中文。（meaning "I know Chinese"）
✓我会说中文。
A learned skill takes 会.
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✗我会进来吗？
✓我可以进来吗？
Asking permission uses 可以 (or 能).
重点词语Words in this guide
Common questions
Are 能 and 可以 interchangeable?
Often for permission (我能/可以走了吗？). For ability, 能 is usual; for refusing permission, 不能 is more common than 不可以 in speech.