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能
néng
can
我能帮你吗？
Can I help you?
formal
To have the ability or power to do something; can
他能说五种语言。
He can speak five languages.
Used to express capability or possibility.
formal
Energy or ability; capability
这个人很有能。
This person is very capable.
Often used in formal or literary contexts.
formal
Chinese surname
能姓很少见。
The surname Neng is rare.
Used as a surname in Chinese.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Modal Verb Usage
能 is used to express ability or possibility in the present or future. It cannot be used to express past ability (use '会' or '能够' instead). For example: '我能游泳' (I can swim) is correct, but '我能游了五公里' (I could swim five kilometers) is incorrect in past tense.
Gold Rule
Position in Sentence
能 is placed before the main verb in a sentence. The structure is: Subject + 能 + Verb + Object. For example: '他能开车' (He can drive).
Word Origin
From Old Chinese 'nəŋ', meaning 'to be able to' or 'energy'. The character combines '月' (moon) and '厶' (private) in early forms, possibly symbolizing inner strength or lunar cycles as a metaphor for time and ability.
Usage Notes
能 is a versatile modal verb in Chinese, used to express ability, permission, or possibility. It is often interchangeable with 会 (huì) in some contexts, but 能 emphasizes innate or learned capability rather than learned skill.
Word Breakdown
月
moon; flesh
root厶
private; secret
root汉英词典