会 vs 能 vs 可以 (huì vs néng vs kěyǐ): which 'can' to use
会, 能, and 可以 all translate to 'can' in English, but they express different kinds of 'can'. 会 marks a learned skill (e.g., 'I can swim' = I know how), 能 indicates physical or circumstantial ability (e.g., 'I can lift this box'), and 可以 grants or asks for permission (e.g., 'You can go now'). There is some overlap: 能 is also used for permission in questions and can substitute for 会 with learned skills, but 会 is more precise for acquired abilities.
会, 能, and 可以 are all translated as 'can' in English, but each covers a different domain. 会 indicates a skill that you have learned (knowing how), 能 refers to physical or circumstantial ability (being able because of conditions or capability), and 可以 expresses permission or that something is acceptable (may). Although there is overlap—especially in questions and with learned skills—choosing the right word depends on whether the focus is on knowledge, capability, or permission. In negative sentences, the distinctions become clearer: 不会 means 'don't know how', 不能 means 'cannot (due to inability or prohibition)', and 不可以 means 'may not (not allowed)'.
When to use each
Use 会 when you want to say that someone knows how to do something because they have learned it. It emphasizes acquired knowledge or skill. 会 is also used to express future possibility (e.g., 'will', 'likely').
For learned skills, 能 can sometimes be used instead, but 会 is more precise for 'know how'. 能 in those contexts may imply the ability is possible due to circumstances, not necessarily that you have learned it.
Use 能 to express physical or circumstantial ability—being able to do something because of external factors, strength, time, or conditions. It is also used for possibility (can happen) and in polite requests/questions for permission (e.g., 我能进来吗？'May I come in?').
In affirmative statements about learned skills, 能 is grammatically correct and common, though it may shift the emphasis to the possibility of doing the action rather than the knowledge itself. In negative form, 不能 can mean either 'cannot (due to ability)' or 'must not' (prohibition).
Use 可以 primarily to ask for or grant permission (may). It also indicates that something is possible or acceptable ('it's okay to'). 可以 is not used for inherent learned skills; if you say 我可以游泳, it usually means 'I may swim' (permission) or 'I am able to swim' (feasibility), not 'I know how to swim'.
In negative, 不可以 means 'not allowed' or 'may not', not 'unable due to skill'. For suggestions, 可以 is also used like 'you could try' (e.g., 你可以试试).
At a glance
| 会 | 能 | 可以 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learned skill | Correct (preferred) | Acceptable (implies ability, less precise) | Incorrect (not used for 'know how') |
| Permission (may) | Incorrect | Acceptable (esp. in questions/requests) | Correct |
| Physical/circumstantial ability | Incorrect (unless learned skill involved) | Correct | Sometimes acceptable (feasibility) |
| Future probability (will) | Correct (e.g., 会下雨) | Possible but less common | Incorrect |
| Negation | 不会 = don't know how (or won't) | 不能 = cannot (ability) or must not | 不可以 = may not (prohibition) |
Examples
- 会我会游泳。Wǒ huì yóuyǒng.I can swim (I know how).Use 会 because swimming is a learned skill.
- 能他今天不能来。Tā jīntiān bù néng lái.He cannot come today (due to circumstances).Use 能 to emphasize the circumstance prevents him.
- 可以我可以进来吗？Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlái ma?May I come in?Asking for permission, so 可以 is correct.
- 能你能帮我吗？Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?Can you help me? (polite request)In requests, 能 functions similarly to 'can' and can imply a permission-like question; it's not purely about ability.
- 会我会开车。Wǒ huì kāichē.I can drive (I know how).Learned skill; 能 can also be used here but 会 is more natural for knowledge.
- 可以这里不可以吸烟。Zhèlǐ bù kěyǐ xīyān.Smoking is not allowed here.Negative of 可以 means prohibition.
Common mistakes
- Using 可以 to say 'I can swim' meaning 'I know how' – instead use 会 or 能.
- Using 会 to ask for permission (e.g., 我会进来吗?) – use 可以 or 能.
- Using 能 in the affirmative for a learned skill is not wrong, but using 会 is more precise; avoid overcorrecting by telling learners that 能 is incorrect.
- Confusing 不能 (cannot/can't) with 不可以 (may not) – 不能 can mean both inability and prohibition, while 不可以 only means prohibition.
- Using 可以 for inherent ability that is not a matter of permission (e.g., 'I can run fast' as pure ability) – use 能.
FAQ
- When do I use 会 vs 能 vs 可以?
- Use 会 for learned skills/knowledge (know how). Use 能 for physical or circumstantial ability (be able to, can happen) and also for polite requests for permission. Use 可以 for permission (may) and to say something is acceptable. In many situations, 能 and 可以 overlap in requests, but 可以 is stronger for permission.
- Can I use 能 instead of 会 for 'I can speak Chinese'?
- Yes, you can say 我能说中文 and it is grammatically correct and commonly heard. However, 我会说中文 is more precise because 会 emphasizes the learned skill. The nuance is slight: 能 may imply that conditions allow you to speak (e.g., you are not sick), while 会 means you know the language.
- What is the difference between 不能 and 不可以?
- 不能 is broader: it can mean 'cannot' due to lack of ability, impossibility, or prohibition (e.g., 我不能去 = I can't go for any reason). 不可以 strictly means 'may not' (prohibition or not allowed) and is not used for inability. For example, 这里不可以停车 means 'Parking here is not allowed,' not 'You don't know how to park.'