Meanings of 会
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Podcast: 会
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AI Study Notes for 会
能 (néng) vs 会 (huì): use 能 for physical or inherent ability, while 会 emphasizes learned skills or acquired abilities.
Be careful not to confuse 会 (huì) with 能 (néng), which also means 'can', but focuses more on capability rather than learned skills. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, so you can use it in casual conversations or official settings.
As an HSK Level 1 word, 会 is foundational for expressing ability and future actions. Students should focus on distinguishing it from similar verbs and practice using it in sentences related to their daily life activities.
Learners often confuse 会 (huì) with 可能 (kěnéng) when expressing possibility. For instance, saying '我会下雨' (Wǒ huì xià yǔ) is incorrect; the correct phrase should be '可能下雨' (kěnéng xià yǔ), meaning 'it might rain'.
Pronunciation of 会
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Etymology of 会
Simplified form of 會. Origin unclear. Possibly related to 合 (together).
People 人 speaking 云
Origin
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Decomposition of 会
Parts
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How to say can in Chinese
“can” in Chinese is会
会 (huì) is a versatile verb that means 'to be able to' or 'can', and it is commonly used to express ability or possibility. In addition to its ability-related meanings, it can also refer to gatherings or meetings, as in 'to assemble' or 'to meet'. Its broad usage makes it essential in everyday conversation and various contexts.
When to use 会
Be careful not to confuse 会 (huì) with 能 (néng), which also means 'can', but focuses more on capability rather than learned skills. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, so you can use it in casual conversations or official settings.
会 or something close to it
能 (néng) vs 会 (huì): use 能 for physical or inherent ability, while 会 emphasizes learned skills or acquired abilities.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 会 (huì) with 可能 (kěnéng) when expressing possibility. For instance, saying '我会下雨' (Wǒ huì xià yǔ) is incorrect; the correct phrase should be '可能下雨' (kěnéng xià yǔ), meaning 'it might rain'.
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Grammar Patterns of 会
会 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 19 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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我不____说中文。
I can't speak Chinese.
Example Sentences for 会 (16)
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Word Family of 会
Characters with 会
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Frequently Asked Questions about 会
You can say '我会说中文' (Wǒ huì shuō zhōngwén) meaning 'I can speak Chinese'.
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