能 néng
“can; to be able to; might possibly”
verbHSK 1 · 2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
能 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 145: 能 néng — Level 1; official annotation 1 (动). PDF page 83
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 能
能 means 'can' or 'be able to'. It comes before a verb to say that someone can do something or that something is possible. The common pattern is subject + 能 + verb (+ object), and the negative is 不能 + verb.
例句Example sentences
- 我明天能来。wǒ míng tiān néng lái.I can come tomorrow.
- 你能写这个字吗？nǐ néng xiě zhè ge zì ma?Can you write this character?
- 他今天不能去学校。tā jīn tiān bù néng qù xué xiào.He can't go to school today.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我能英语。
✓我能说英语。
能 is an auxiliary verb, so it must be followed by a verb; the action verb 说 cannot be left out.
易混词Easily confused
能vs会
会 also means 'can', but it often describes a learned skill (会说汉语); 能 more often describes possibility or ability in a situation (今天能来).
深度指南Grammar & comparison guides
义项All meanings
- Néng: surname Neng
- néng: can; to be able to; might possibly; ability; (physics) energy