Meaning of 能
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- can
- to be able to
- might possibly
- ability
- (physics) energy
- surname Neng
How to use 能
能 (néng) goes before a verb to say someone is able to do something or that something is possible or allowed. It also appears in many words about ability and energy, such as 能力 (nénglì) and 功能 (gōngnéng). Example: 你明天能来吗？(Nǐ míngtiān néng lái ma?) Can you come tomorrow?
Picture 能 (néng) as a strong animal: the left side looks like a head and body, and the two 匕 shapes on the right look like legs ready to run. An animal with legs like that is able to do a lot, so 能 means "can" or "able to."
Common mistake: Learners often use 能 for every English "can," but skills you learned, like speaking a language or swimming, usually take 会 (huì): 我会说中文 (Wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén), not 我能说中文 in the basic sense. Use 能 for physical ability, circumstances, or permission.
能 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
能 néng · can · 10 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 能.
| 可能 | kěnéng | might (happen); possible |
| 只能 | zhǐ néng | can only; obliged to do sth |
| 能够 | nénggòu | to be capable of; to be able to |
| 才能 | cáinéng | talent; ability |
| 能力 | nénglì | capability; ability |
| 功能 | gōngnéng | function; capability |
| 能不能 | néng bu néng | |
| 能干 | nénggàn | capable; competent |
| 智能 | zhìnéng | intelligent; able |
| 能量 | néngliàng | energy; capabilities |
| 尽可能 | jìn kěnéng | as far as possible; to the best of one's ability |
| 技能 | jìnéng | technical ability; skill |
Questions about 能
What does 能 mean?
能 (néng) means "can; to be able to" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 能?
能 is made of 1 character: 能 (10 strokes). That is 10 strokes in total.
Is 能 an HSK word?
Yes. 能 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 能 and 可以?
Both can mean "may" or "be allowed to," and they often overlap. 可以 (kěyǐ) is more common for asking or giving permission, while 能 leans toward ability or whether conditions make something possible. In negative answers, 不能 (bù néng) is the usual way to say "cannot" or "must not."
How do you say "cannot" with 能?
Put 不 (bù) in front: 不能 (bù néng). For example, 这里不能抽烟 (Zhèlǐ bù néng chōuyān) means "You can't smoke here." It can also mean something is impossible, as in 我不能相信 (Wǒ bù néng xiāngxìn), "I can't believe it."