会 (huì) — can, be able to (know how to); be likely to, will; to meet, to get together
Definition
会 (huì) is the basic 'can' for a learned skill, and also predicts the future ('will, probably'). Compare with 能 for ability/permission, and the separate noun 会 (huì, HSK 3) for 'meeting'.
verb
canbe able to (know how to)be likely towillto meetto get together
Easily confused
Examples
- 会。Wǒ huì xiě hàn zì.I can write Chinese characters.
- 会？Tā jīn tiān huì lái ma?Will he come today?
- 会。Wǒ míng tiān qù huì péng you.I'll go meet friends tomorrow.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 會; 会 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
𡆧
𡆧𡆧會huì
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
Traditional 會 pairs 合 (to meet) with 𡆧, an original form for ironware, to give the sound. The simplified 会 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the original parts.
Grammar
Appears in
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