Chinese verb · modal · first needed at beginner level (A1)
会
huì
can (learned skill); will (likely)
is “can” for skills you have learned ( (huì yóuyǒng), (huì shuō Zhōngwén)) and “will” for what is likely to happen ( (míngtiān huì xià yǔ)). For being able to at a given moment, use (néng).
Speed:
Basic
基本
+ language or skill: to know it.
| affirmative | 我会一点儿中文。Wǒ huì yìdiǎnr Zhōngwén. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不会中文。Wǒ bú huì Zhōngwén. | |
| question | 你会中文吗？Nǐ huì Zhōngwén ma? |
Completed
了
会…了: you have now learned how to do it.
| affirmative | 我会开车了。Wǒ huì kāichē le. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我还不会开车。Wǒ hái bú huì kāichē. | |
| question | 你会开车了吗？Nǐ huì kāichē le ma? |
Future and intention
要 / 会
: what will probably happen. (de) at the end makes it sound sure.
| affirmative | 他会来的。Tā huì lái de. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 他不会来的。Tā bú huì lái de. | |
| question | 他会来吗？Tā huì lái ma? |
Ability and permission
能 / 可以 / 会
+ verb: a skill you have learned.
| affirmative | 我会游泳。Wǒ huì yóuyǒng. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我不会游泳。Wǒ bú huì yóuyǒng. | |
| question | 你会游泳吗？Nǐ huì yóuyǒng ma? |
Examples
- 我妈妈会做很多中国菜。Wǒ māma huì zuò hěn duō Zhōngguó cài.My mum can cook lots of Chinese dishes.
- 别担心，他会来的。Bié dānxīn, tā huì lái de.Don't worry, he'll come.
- 你会不会开车？Nǐ huì bu huì kāichē?Can you drive?