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能够 (néng gòu) — to be able to; can; be capable of

Definition

能够 is a more formal version of 能, used in writing or longer sentences. 得以 highlights a result made possible by effort; 会 focuses on learned skill.

verb
to be able tocanbe capable of

Examples

  • 能够。
    Tā néng gòu shuō sān zhǒng yǔ yán.
    He can speak three languages.
  • 能够。
    Zhè ge wèn tí néng gòu dé dào jiě jué.
    This problem can be solved.
  • 能够。
    Gōng sī néng gòu tí gōng gèng hǎo de fú wù.
    The company can provide better service.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

能néngable to
够gòuable to

能 and 够 both express capacity, so 能够 means to be able to.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

能 is an old picture of a bear, showing two paws and a face with an open mouth.

Open 能 →

Most 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 夠; 够 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
多多duō
Sound part声符shēngfú
句
句jù夠gòu
Same sound today

In the traditional form 夠, 多 is the part tied to the meaning and 句 is the part that gives the sound; the simplified 够 is a later shorthand.

Open 够 →
Appears in
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