Meaning of 能干
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- capable
- competent
How to use 能干
能干 is a common compliment for a person who handles tasks well, often used about coworkers, family members, or children. It usually describes people, not machines. Example: 她很能干。(Tā hěn nénggàn.) She is very capable.
能 (néng) means able, and 干 (gàn) means to do or to work. Someone who is 能干 is able to get work done, so they are capable.
Common mistake: In 能干 the 干 is fourth tone gàn, as in 干什么 (gàn shénme), not first tone gān as in 干净 (gānjìng) or 干杯 (gānbēi). The traditional form also changes: 能幹 uses 幹, while dry is 乾.
能干 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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- 2
- 3
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- 10
干 gān · dry · 3 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 能干.
| 干什么 | gàn shénme | what are you doing?; what's he up to? |
| 干净 | gānjìng | clean; neat |
| 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 |
| 干杯 | gānbēi | to drink a toast; Cheers! (proposing a toast) |
| 干活儿 | gànhuór | erhua variant of 幹活|干活[gan4 huo2] |
| 才能 | cáinéng | talent; ability |
| 能力 | nénglì | capability; ability |
| 干吗 | gànmá | variant of 幹嘛|干嘛[gan4 ma2] |
| 功能 | gōngnéng | function; capability |
| 能不能 | néng bu néng |
Questions about 能干
What does 能干 mean?
能干 (nénggàn) means "capable; competent" and is used as a adjective.
How do you write 能干?
能干 is made of 2 characters: 能 (10 strokes), 干 (3 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 能干 an HSK word?
Yes. 能干 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 能干 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 能干 is written 能幹.
What is the difference between 能干 and 能够?
能干 is an adjective describing a person as capable or competent, like 他很能干 (tā hěn nénggàn). 能够 (nénggòu) is a verb meaning to be able to and is followed by an action, like 能够参加 (nénggòu cānjiā) able to attend.
Can 能干 be used to praise someone directly?
Yes. Saying 你真能干 (nǐ zhēn nénggàn), you are really capable, is a warm and natural compliment. It is often said to someone who has done a lot of work or solved a problem well.