Modal Verb 能 - Physical Ability

Using 能 is like building with LEGO blocks. You just snap it into place before the action. In English, we use "can" for everything. Chinese is a bit more specific. 能 focuses on your physical state or objective circumstances. Imagine you are at a buffet. You might say "I can eat ten plates!" That is a physical capacity. That is 能. Or maybe you are recovering from a cold. You might say "I can finally speak!" That is also 能. It describes your physical condition. It sits right in front of the verb to modify it. It does not change based on who is speaking. No conjugations here! Just pure, simple ability.

1. 1For positive statements: [Subject] + 能 + [Verb] + [Object].
2. 2Example: 我能吃辣。 (I can eat spicy food.)
3. 3For negative statements: [Subject] + 不能 + [Verb] + [Object].
4. 4Example: 他不能来。 (He cannot come.)
5. 5For questions: [Subject] + 能 + [Verb] + [Object] + 吗?
6. 6Example: 你能帮我吗？ (Can you help me?)
7. 7For the "A-not-A" question style: [Subject] + 能不能 + [Verb] + [Object]?
8. 8Example: 你能不能帮我？ (Can you or can't you help me?)

Use 能 when your body is up to the task. If you are strong enough to lift a box, use 能. If your eyes are sharp enough to see a sign, use 能.

Real-world scenario: You are at a job interview. They ask if you can work on Saturdays. This is an objective possibility. You say, 我也能星期六工作。 (I can also work on Saturdays.)

Another scenario: You are at a restaurant. You have a peanut allergy. You tell the waiter, 我不能吃花生。 (I cannot eat peanuts.) This isn't because you don't know how to chew them. It is because your body literally cannot handle them.

Finally, use it for recovery. If you were sick yesterday but feel great today, you 能 go to work. It is like a grammar green light after a long red light of being stuck in bed.

Do not use 能 for skills you had to study hard to learn. For languages, swimming, or cooking, use 会 (huì). If you say 我会说中文, it means you learned it. If you say 我能说中文, it sounds like you finally have a voice again after being mute. It’s a subtle difference, but native speakers will notice.

Also, try not to use 能 for formal permission if 可以 (kěyǐ) is available. While people do use 能 to ask "Can I?", 可以 is much more common for "May I?". Using 能 for permission is like asking your teacher "Can I go to the bathroom?" and having them reply, "I don't know, are you physically able to?" We've all been there, and it's just as annoying in Chinese!

One big mistake is putting 不 in the wrong place. It always goes before 能, never after. Say 不能去, not 能不去.

Another classic error is using 能 for "know-how." If you just learned to drive, tell your friends 我会开车. If you use 能, they might think you’re just bragged about having legs that reach the pedals.

Sometimes people forget the object. In English, we say "I can." In Chinese, it is often better to repeat the verb or use a full sentence. Avoid just saying 我能 unless the context is crystal clear.

能 (néng) vs. 会 (huì):

能 is about physical capacity or objective conditions. 会 is about acquired skills.

Example: 我能喝五杯咖啡。 (Physical capacity). 我会做咖啡。 (I know how to make coffee).

能 (néng) vs. 可以 (kěyǐ):

能 is physical ability. 可以 is permission or a suggestion.

Example: 我能跑十公里。 (I am fit enough). 你可以坐这儿。 (You have permission to sit here).

Think of 能 as your internal battery level. Think of 会 as your brain's software. Think of 可以 as a social hall pass.