肯 - Willing/Consent

肯 is what we call an auxiliary verb. It helps the main verb. You place it right before the action. It shows the person's mental state. They are not just doing the action. They are agreeing to do it. It is like a bridge between the person and the task. In English, we often use "will" or "willing to." In Chinese, 肯 is much shorter and punchier. It focuses on the heart. If your heart says yes, you are 肯. If your heart says no, you are 不肯. It is very simple to use. You do not need complex endings or changes. Just drop it in before the verb. It is like adding a flavor of "consent" to any action.

1. 1Pick your subject (like 我 or 他).
2. 2Add the word 肯 right after the subject.
3. 3Add your main verb (like 去 or 帮).
4. 4Finish with the rest of your sentence.
5. 5Example: 他不肯走 (He is not willing to leave). To make it a question, use 肯不肯. Example: 你肯不肯帮我？ (Are you willing to help me?). For negative sentences, just add 不 before 肯. 我不肯 means "I refuse" or "I am not willing." It is a very sturdy structure. It rarely changes. Yes, even native speakers mess up other things, but this pattern is a rock.

Use it when someone agrees to a request. Use it to describe a helpful person. Use it when someone finally says "yes" after hesitating. Imagine you are asking a friend for a ride. If they say yes happily, they are 肯 help you. It is great for job interviews too. You can say you are 肯学习 (willing to learn). It makes you sound proactive and positive. Use it when talking about pets too. If your dog 不肯吃 (won't eat), it fits perfectly. It describes a choice. It describes a state of mind. Use it when someone shows a good attitude. If a worker is 肯干 (willing to work), they are a favorite. It is a very positive word in most cases.

Do not use it for simple "wanting." If you want ice cream, use 想. 肯 is about the "will" to do something, often for others. Do not use it for physical ability. If you can't lift a box, use 不能. Only use 不肯 if you are physically able but choose not to. It is about the choice, not the power. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. 能 is the engine. 肯 is the driver's decision. Do not use it for things that happen naturally. You wouldn't say the rain is 不肯 fall. It is for people and animals with a will. Using it for inanimate objects sounds like a poem or a joke.

A big mistake is using 肯 for "yes" in all cases. In English, we say "Are you willing?" and "Yes." In Chinese, you usually repeat the verb. If someone asks 你肯吗?, you say 肯. Another mistake is forgetting the negative form. Use 不肯 to mean "refuse." It is stronger than just saying "no." It sounds a bit like being stubborn. Some people use 肯 when they mean 喜欢 (like). Remember, 肯 is about consent, not necessarily enjoyment. You might be 肯 to do chores, but you don't 喜欢 them. Don't confuse the two. Your mom will know the difference!

肯 vs 愿意. 愿意 (yuànyì) is much more formal. You use 愿意 at weddings or in deep heart-to-hearts. You use 肯 in daily life with friends or at work. 肯 is shorter and more common in speech. 肯 vs 想. 想 (xiǎng) is a desire from within. 想 is "I want to." 肯 is "I am willing to." You might not 想 go to the gym, but you are 肯 to go. 肯 vs 能. 能 (néng) is about your muscles or your schedule. 肯 is about your attitude. If you have time but say no, you are 不肯.