coconutgrl22 Posted November 3, 2004 at 07:10 PM Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 at 07:10 PM I've been dying to ask this question... How do you figure out when to use 可以, 能, and 会? I had it down a while ago, but can't seem to remember it anymore. If this is any help, I need to know because my new internship is asking me to use a lot of Chinese, in a business context, which I am entirely ill-prepared to handle. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xuechengfeng Posted November 3, 2004 at 07:37 PM Report Share Posted November 3, 2004 at 07:37 PM I think the simplest explanation I could give would be.. they all mean being able to do something in different contexts 可以 = When asking/telling if something is permissible. I.e. 我可不可以看電視﹖ 能 = If someone is able to do something according to physical skill. I.e. 你能不能走路﹖ 会 = Doing something according to learned/acquired mental ability. I.e. 我會說中文。 I think 會 & 能 may typically be used interchangeably, however, I could be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chinapage Posted November 4, 2004 at 03:25 PM Report Share Posted November 4, 2004 at 03:25 PM 可以 = When asking/telling if something is permissible. I.e. 我可不可以看電視﹖ 能 = If someone is able to do something according to physical skill. I.e. 你能不能走路﹖ 会 = Doing something according to learned/acquired mental ability. I.e. 我會說中文。 可以 = May I ... ? 能 = Can I ...? 会 = I am able to ... / I know how to ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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