会 (huì) - Can/Know How To

会 is a modal verb. This means it hangs out right before the main action. It modifies the verb to show ability. It is like adding a layer of meaning to your sentence. You are not just doing the action. You are saying you have the skill to do it. It is very straightforward. No complex conjugations here! Chinese grammar likes to keep things simple for you. Just drop 会 in, and you are good to go.

1. 1For positive statements: Subject + 会 + Verb + Object.
2. 2我会说中文。 (I can speak Chinese.)
3. 3For negative statements: Subject + 不会 + Verb + Object.
4. 4我不会开车。 (I cannot drive.)
5. 5For simple questions: Subject + 会 + Verb + Object + 吗？
6. 6你会游泳吗？ (Can you swim?)
7. 7For "A-not-A" questions: Subject + 会不会 + Verb + Object？
8. 8你会不会做饭？ (Do you know how to cook?)

Use 会 when talking about acquired skills. This includes languages like 说英语 (speak English). It includes physical skills like 游泳 (swim) or 打网球 (play tennis). Use it for technical skills too, like 写代码 (write code). If you had to take a class or watch a tutorial, use 会.

Real-world scenario: You are at a job interview. The boss asks if you can use Excel. You say, 我会用Excel。 It sounds professional and confident. Or maybe you are at a dinner party. Someone asks if you can play the piano. You say, 我会弹钢琴。 It is the perfect way to show off your hard work. Even small things like 用筷子 (using chopsticks) count as skills. If you practiced it, 会 is the word.

Do not use 会 for natural physical abilities. You do not "learn" to see or hear. For those, we usually use 能 (néng). Also, do not use 会 for permission. If you want to ask to go to the bathroom, 会 is the wrong choice. That would be like asking if you have the mental skill to find the door! Use 可以 (kěyǐ) for permission instead.

Think of it like a grammar traffic light. 会 is the green light for skills. But it is a red light for "I am physically able right now." For example, if your leg is broken, you 不会 swim? No, you still know how! You just 不能 (cannot) swim right now because of your leg. See the difference? One is about your brain, the other is about your body or the situation.

One big mistake is using 会 for "I can go today." This is a classic learner trap. In English, we use "can" for everything. In Chinese, we are more specific. If you are free to go, use 能. If you use 会, people might think you are predicting the future.

Another mistake is adding 很 (hěn) before 会 incorrectly. You can say 很会 to mean "very good at." But don't just use it as a filler. 我很会做饭 means "I am a great cook." If you just know how to boil an egg, just stick with 我会做饭. Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes when they are talking too fast!

Let's compare 会, 能, and 可以.

• 会 (huì): Mental skill or learned ability. "I learned how to do this."
• 能 (néng): Physical ability or possibility. "I am physically capable of doing this right now."
• 可以 (kěyǐ): Permission or suggestion. "I am allowed to do this."

Imagine you are at a bar.

• 我会喝酒 = I know how to drink (I have the skill/habit).
• 我能喝酒 = I can drink (I have a high tolerance or no allergy).
• 我可以喝酒 = I am allowed to drink (I am over 21).