会、能

HSK-G-4
HSK 1 词类 动词

Why does 我会说中文 mean I know how, but 我能说中文 sounds like my mouth is working right now?

会 is a skill you learned; 能 is whether you're physically able or free to do it right now.

English 'can' does two jobs, so learners grab 能 for everything. Chinese splits it cleanly into 会 and 能. 会 means a skill you studied and now own: 我会说中文, 我会游泳, 我会开车. 能 means nothing is blocking you at this moment: 我今天生病了, 不能去. So 我能说中文 isn't broken grammar, it just sounds like you're bragging your mouth works.

Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
A skill you learned会 + verb我会游泳我能游泳 (unless you mean right now, physically)
Free or able right now能 + verb今天很忙,我不能来今天很忙,我不会来 (reads as 'I won't come')
Know how to do something不会 + verb我不会开车我不能开车 (means you're not allowed or free to)

Why can't 不能上车 mean 'I don't feel like getting on the bus'?

不能 is about being blocked or not allowed; refusing on purpose needs 不想.

In English, 'I can't' often really means 'I won't' or 'I don't want to.' Chinese keeps ability and desire in separate boxes. 不能上车 means something actually stops you: the door's shut, your ticket's wrong, the driver says no. If you just don't feel like riding, that's 不想上车. The bus story shows the difference: 高先明不能上车,很不高兴。 ── [《五块钱》](/read/five-yuan-kindness#s6) He's blocked from boarding, so he's genuinely upset, not sulking by choice.

Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Blocked or not allowed不能 + verb高先明不能上车高先明不想上车 (that's just a choice)
Don't feel like it不想 + verb我今天不想上班我今天不能上班 (means you're prevented)
Not skilled at it不会 + verb我不会做饭我不能做饭 (means you're blocked from cooking)

Appears in Stories 7 stories

《电脑没脑子》 Computers Have No Brains
HSK 1 ~1 min read 76 chars
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This playful poem will make you smile as you explore how Chinese words like 'computer' and 'phone' can be funnier than they seem. Get ready to enjoy simple HSK 1 vocabulary and a twist of logic!

  • 手机手中飞机

    The phone is in my hand; planes really can fly.

  • 超市非常电脑没脑子电话不能

    The supermarket is very small, computers have no brains, and phones can't make calls.

《五块钱》 The Five-Yuan Gift
HSK 1 ~6 min read 414 chars
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This heartwarming story shows how a small act of kindness can be passed on. Follow Gao Xianming as he learns an important lesson about generosity in his new city.

  • 高先明不能上车不高兴

    Gao Xianming couldn't get on the bus and was very upset.

  • 高先明看见中国同学安小语也是手里五块钱不能上车

    Gao Xianming saw a Chinese classmate, An Xiaoyu, who was also five yuan short and couldn't get on the bus.

《你喜欢看老电影吗?》 Do You Like Old Movies?
HSK 2 ~3 min read 224 chars
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In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.

  • 有时游泳

    Sometimes I go swimming.

《友好的高友朋》 A Friendly New Friend at Work
HSK 2 ~4 min read 243 chars
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Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.

  • 英文中文每天几个很快我们英语汉语很多

    I teach him English, and he teaches me Chinese. We learn a few words every day, so before long, both our English and Chinese will improve a lot.

《七号桌的客人》 The Guest at Table Seven
HSK 1 ~5 min read 396 chars
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This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.

  • 天天坐在这儿外边觉得儿子回来

    I sit here every day looking outside, feeling that my son will still come back.

《三号病房的苹果》 The Apple in Ward Three
HSK 1 ~3 min read 191 chars
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Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.

  • 天天下午桌子上多出一个很大的苹果

    Every afternoon, a very big apple would appear on the table.

《去上海》 Train or Plane to Shanghai
HSK 2 ~2 min read 151 chars
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Meet Xiao Shang, who is heading back to Shanghai. She compares two ways to travel and tells us why she prefers the slower one. This story helps you practice comparing transportation in simple Chinese.

  • 但是可能火车上海

    But she might take the train back to Shanghai.

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