[Learn basic Chinese with grammar] How to use 能 and 可以

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What do 能 and 可以 mean?

In Chinese, 能 ♬ and 可以 ♬ can both be translated as “can,” but they are used in different situations.

Word	Main meaning
能 ♬	can; be able to; the situation allows it
可以 ♬	can; may; be allowed to

1. 能: ability or condition

Use 能 ♬ when someone has the ability to do something, or when the situation makes something possible.

Pattern	Meaning
Subject + 能 + Verb	Subject can do something

Chinese	English
我能走路。 ♬	I can walk.
他今天能來。 ♬	He can come today.

In the second sentence, 能 means the situation allows him to come today.

2. 可以: permission

Use 可以 ♬ when someone is allowed to do something. It is often used when asking for or giving permission.

Pattern	Meaning
Subject + 可以 + Verb	Subject may / is allowed to do something

Chinese	English
我可以進去嗎？ ♬	May I go in?
你可以坐這裡。 ♬	You can sit here.

Here, 可以 is about permission, not physical ability.

3. 能 and 可以 can sometimes overlap

Sometimes both 能 and 可以 are possible, but the feeling is different.

Chinese	English
我能用你的手機嗎？ ♬	Can I use your phone?
我可以用你的手機嗎？ ♬	May I use your phone?

For asking permission, 可以 is usually clearer and more natural for beginners.

Useful words and example sentences