| One of the difficulties when translating from one language to another is that certain words can have more than one meaning. The English word can is a good example. There are several meanings for the auxiliary verb can, and these meanings each take a different word in Mandarin Chinese.  Permission The first meaning of "can" is "permission" - Can I use your pen? This "can" in Mandarin is 可以 kěyǐ: 我可不可以用你的笔? (wǒ kě bù kě yǐ yòng nǐ de bǐ) = Can I use your pen? The answer to this question would be either: 可以 (kě yǐ) = can (yes) or 不可以 (bù kě yǐ) = cannot (no) We can also use 可以 kěyǐ to suggest an alternative idea, as in: 你也可以写这个字｡ (nǐ yě kěyǐ xiě zhègè zì) = You can also write this character. We can also use 可以 kěyǐ (or 不可以 bù kě yǐ) in answer to a question using 能 néng – our next translation of can. Ability The English word can can also means "ability" – I'm not busy today, so I can come over. This meaning of can is translated with the Mandarin 能 néng. We use 能 néng when talking about inherent physical ability, as in “People can’t fly (because they don’t have wings),” or “I can lift a car (because I’m very strong).” We can also use 能 néng to talk about permission or possibility due to external factors: “I can’t come (because I’m busy right now),” or “I can’t tell you (because I promised to keep it a secret)”. There is a bit of overlap between 能 néng and 可以 kěyǐ, as in a sentence like: 我能不能用你的笔? (wǒ néng bu néng yòng nǐ de bǐ) = Can I use your pen? As we have already seen, the sentence above could be said with kě bù kěyǐ instead of néng bu néng. Skill The final meaning of can is "skill" - I can speak French. To express this idea in Mandarin, use 会 huì. We use 会 huì for things we know how to do because of our learned or acquired abilities: 我会写字｡ (wǒ huì xiě zì) = I can write Chinese characters (because I’ve learned how to do that). 我不会说法文｡ (wǒ bú huì shuō fa wén) = I can’t speak French (I’ve never learned how to). # Our teachers # More than 10 years teaching experience Master Degree Certificate for teaching chinese as a foreign language   # About us # Founded in 2007 Chinese test and training center 200+ Chinese teachers 5000+ students  # Contact us# Name:fiona Phone number:021-52287809,13918358891 E-mail:info@mandarinmorning.com www.mandarinmorning.com If you are interested to join Mandarin Morning school or want more details about our services, scan the following QR code. ☟   Mandarin Morning Chinese test center attached to Confucius institute headquarters Authorized Test Center and Training Center for International Chinese Language Teacher Certificater 10 years+ ，200 teachers ，more 10000 students，200+companies  |
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