how to use The Chinese term "能願動詞 会 能"

 You're asking about two very common and important modal verbs (能願動詞, néngyuàn dòngcí) in Chinese: 会 (huì) and 能 (néng). While both can express ability or possibility, they have distinct nuances.

Here's a breakdown of how to use them, highlighting their differences:

1. 会 (huì) - Can / Be able to / Will / Be likely to

会 (huì) generally indicates:

• Learned Ability/Skill: Something you've learned or acquired through practice. This is the most common use.

  • 我会说汉语。(Wǒ huì shuō Hànyǔ.) - I can speak Chinese. (I've learned it.)

  • 她会开车。(Tā huì kāichē.) - She can drive. (She learned how to.)

  • 你会做饭吗？(Nǐ huì zuòfàn ma?) - Can you cook? (Do you know how to cook?)

• Future Likelihood/Prediction: Something that is likely to happen, or a future event. This often translates to "will" or "be likely to."

  • 明天会下雨。(Míngtiān huì xiàyǔ.) - It will rain tomorrow. (It's likely.)

  • 他会来参加派对。(Tā huì lái cānjiā pàiduì.) - He will come to the party. (It's expected.)

  • 这样下去会有问题。(Zhèyàng xiàqù huì yǒu wèntí.) - If it continues like this, there will be problems.

• Acquired Habit/Tendency: Something that someone tends to do.

  • 他一生气就会大吼。(Tā yī shēngqì jiù huì dàhǒu.) - He will yell whenever he gets angry. (It's his tendency.)

• General Capability (less common, often interchangeable with 能): In some general contexts, it can overlap with 能.

  • 这个房间会容纳50人。(Zhège fángjiān huì róngnà 50 rén.) - This room can accommodate 50 people. (Less common than 能 in this specific sense, but not wrong.)

Negation of 会:

• 不会 (bú huì):

  • I cannot speak Chinese (I haven't learned it or forgot it): 我不会说汉语。(Wǒ bú huì shuō Hànyǔ.)

  • It will not rain tomorrow: 明天不会下雨。(Míngtiān bú huì xiàyǔ.)

2. 能 (néng) - Can / Be able to / Have the ability to / Be permitted to

能 (néng) generally indicates:

• Physical or Objective Ability: The capability to do something, often due to physical strength, time, or an external condition.

  • 我今天很忙，不能去。(Wǒ jīntiān hěn máng, bùnéng qù.) - I'm very busy today, I cannot go. (Due to lack of time.)

  • 他能举起一百公斤。(Tā néng jǔqǐ yìbǎi gōngjīn.) - He can lift 100 kilograms. (Physical strength.)

  • 你能听到我说话吗？(Nǐ néng tīngdào wǒ shuōhuà ma?) - Can you hear me speaking? (Physical ability to perceive.)

• Permission/Allowance: Being allowed to do something, or if something is permissible.

  • 这里不能吸烟。(Zhèli bùnéng xīyān.) - You cannot smoke here. (It's not permitted.)

  • 你能进来。(Nǐ néng jìnlái.) - You can come in. (You are permitted.)

  • 我现在能走了吗？(Wǒ xiànzài néng zǒu le ma?) - Can I leave now? (Am I allowed to leave?)

• Possibility/Feasibility (objective conditions allow): Something is possible given the circumstances.

  • 这个问题能解决。(Zhège wèntí néng jiějué.) - This problem can be solved. (It's solvable.)

  • 这个方案能省很多钱。(Zhège fāng'àn néng shěng hěn duō qián.) - This plan can save a lot of money. (It's possible to save money this way.)

Negation of 能:

• 不能 (bùnéng):

  • I cannot go (due to circumstances): 我不能去。(Wǒ bùnéng qù.)

  • You are not allowed to smoke here: 这里不能吸烟。(Zhèli bùnéng xīyān.)

Key Differences & Overlap Summarized:

Feature	会 (huì)	能 (néng)
Main Focus	Learned skill, future likelihood	Physical/objective ability, permission
Acquired Skill?	Yes	No (though you might use a skill if you are able to)
Permission?	No	Yes
Future?	Yes (likelihood/prediction)	Less direct, more about what's "possible"
Interchangeable?	Sometimes, but nuanced. If it's both a learned skill and a current physical ability, there's overlap.

Examples of when they are NOT interchangeable:

• Learned Skill:

  • 我会游泳。(Wǒ huì yóuyǒng.) - I can swim (I learned how). (You wouldn't typically say 我能游泳 if just referring to the learned skill, unless you're emphasizing your current physical ability to do so, e.g., "I'm strong enough to swim across the lake.")

• Permission:

  • 你不能吃这个。(Nǐ bùnéng chī zhège.) - You cannot eat this (it's not allowed/permitted). (You wouldn't say 你不会吃这个 unless you meant "you don't know how to eat this," which is a different meaning.)

• Likelihood:

  • 今天会下雪。(Jīntiān huì xiàxuě.) - It will snow today (prediction). (You wouldn't use 能 here.)

• Physical Ability:

  • 你能看到那座山吗？(Nǐ néng kàndào nà zuò shān ma?) - Can you see that mountain? (Are you physically able to see it?) (You wouldn't use 会.)

By understanding these distinctions, you can choose the correct modal verb to convey your intended meaning in Chinese. Practice using them in different contexts to solidify your understanding.