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能 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
能néngsurname NengHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngto be able toHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngto be capable ofHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngabilityHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngcapabilityHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngableHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngcapableHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngcan possiblyHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néng(usually used in the negative) to have the possibility ofHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngcan, may; capable, full of energyHSK 1, v, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néngmight possiblyHSK 1, unknown, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
能néng(physics) energyHSK 1, unknown, 10 strokes, radical ⺼, rank #30, Easy
néng(Neng2) T2
  1. 1to be able to
  2. 2to be capable of
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
能néng(Neng2)

The character '能' (néng) means 'to be able to' or 'to have the capability to do something.' It is commonly used in contexts related to ability, potential, and permission, often appearing in phrases such as '我能去' (I can go). The nuance of this character often implies both physical and mental capability.

Strokes10Radical⺼Frequency#30DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of capability is often linked to personal achievement and social responsibility. The emphasis on being '能' reflects a cultural value where individuals are encouraged to develop their skills and contribute positively to society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a superhero with a cape (the character '能' resembles a person in action) who is capable of many feats. The '能' character can be remembered as representing a person who can do anything, flying high with abilities that amaze everyone. The pronunciation 'néng' sounds like 'nang', which can remind you of a 'bang' when the superhero saves the day.

Meanings of 能

néng(Neng2)
1to be able to
2to be capable of
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 能

能Simplified
10Strokes
⺼Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#30Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 能

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Podcast: 能

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AI Study Notes for 能

Quick Contrast

可以 (kěyǐ) vs 能 (néng): Use 可以 when expressing permission or possibility, while 能 emphasizes ability or capability.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a superhero with a cape (the character '能' resembles a person in action) who is capable of many feats. The '能' character can be remembered as representing a person who can do anything, flying high with abilities that amaze everyone. The pronunciation 'néng' sounds like 'nang', which can remind you of a 'bang' when the superhero saves the day.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '能' with '可以' (kěyǐ), which also indicates permission. '能' emphasizes ability while '可以' focuses on permission. Common collocations include '能做' (can do), '能行' (can manage), and be mindful of using it in a formal context when discussing capabilities.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 1 word, '能' connects with other basic verbs that express ability, like '会' (huì), which means 'can' or 'know how to.' Focus on using '能' in sentences about personal capabilities and practice its use in questions.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of capability is often linked to personal achievement and social responsibility. The emphasis on being '能' reflects a cultural value where individuals are encouraged to develop their skills and contribute positively to society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use '能' interchangeably with '会' (huì), which can imply learned skills rather than general ability. For example, saying '我能游泳' (I can swim) is correct, but if you mean you have learned to swim, it should be '我会游泳' (I know how to swim).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 能

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Etymology of 能

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a bear holding meat in its mouth. Based on the original meaning "bear". The meaning of this character has shifted over time and now means "ability; power".

Memory Hint

A bear's head 厶, body ⺼, and claws 匕

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 能?

Decomposition of 能

IDS Structure⿰⿱厶⺼⿱匕匕
能Full Character
=
厶mou3
top
⺼rou4
bottom
匕bi3
top
匕bi3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 3

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 能?

Write 能

能

Practice writing 能 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 能

能 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons6
能…就…能 + [V] + 就 + [V]
HSK 2

This pattern expresses a conditional ability, indicating that if one can do something, then another action follows.

你能来就来吧。

Nǐ néng lái jiù lái ba.

If you can come, then just come.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

明天你____来吗？

Can you come tomorrow?

Common Confusions with 能

能 indicates ability, while 可以 means permission or possibility.

1

我能游泳。 (I can swim.) vs. 我可以去吗？ (May I go?)

能 indicates ability, while 可以 means permission or possibility.

💡Think of 能 as 'can do' and 可以 as 'may do'.

Usage Notes for 能

Mixing 能 with 可以Common Error

Learners often confuse 能 and 可以. Remember that 能 focuses on ability, while 可以 emphasizes permission.

1

我能去吗？

Can I go?

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

我____去吗？

Can I go?

Example Sentences for 能 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我正追查几件可能互相关联的事。

wǒ zhèng zhuī chá jī jiàn kě néng hù xiāng guān lián de shì。

I'm following up a few things that might dovetail.
2
我只能听到火的毕剥声。

wǒ zhī néng tīng dào huǒ de bì bāo shēng。

All I could hear was the sputter of the fire.
3
如果可的松无效，我恐怕只能动手术了。

rú guǒ kě de sōng wú xiào， ， wǒ kǒng pà zhī néng dòng shǒu shù。

If the cortisone doesn't take, I may have to have surgery.
4
我非常渴望能够帮助和照顾他人。

wǒ fēi cháng kě wàng néng gòu bāng zhù hé zhào gù tā rén。

I had a strong desire to help and care for people.
5
我的花园只能算是中等大小。

wǒ de huā yuán zhī néng suàn shì zhōng děng dà xiǎo。

I would class my garden as medium in size.
6
决定你人生高度的，不是你的才能，而是你的态度。

jué dìng nǐ rén shēng gāo dù de， ， bù shì nǐ de cái， néng ， ér shì nǐ de。

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.--Zig Ziglar
7
对于现况的不满，不能只是抱怨，要有作出改变。

duì yú xiàn kuàng de bù mǎn， ， bù néng zhī shì bào， yuàn ， yào yǒu zuò chū。

If you're not satisfied with the life you're living, don't just complain. Do something about it.
8
1981年，新型的日产汽车平均每升汽油能跑13千米。

1981 1981， nián ， xīn xíng de rì chǎn qì chē píng jūn měi shēng qì yóu13 néng pǎo。

New Japanese cars averaged 13 km to the litre in
9
36岁的汉德拉身体健壮，有着21岁小伙子的体能。

36 36 suì de hàn dé lā shēn tǐ jiàn， zhuàng ，21 yǒu zháo 21 suì xiǎo huǒ zǐ。

Xandra is an athletic 36-year-old with a 21-year-old's body.
10
如果受到损伤，神经细胞再造的能力有限。

rú guǒ shòu dào sǔn shāng， ， shén jīng xì bāo zài zào de néng lì yǒu。

Nerve cells have limited ability to regenerate if destroyed.

Cultural Notes for 能

💡Did you know?

In Chinese, '能' is often used in everyday conversation to express capability. For instance, saying '我能' (I can) is a common way to indicate ability.

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of capability is often linked to personal achievement and social responsibility. The emphasis on being '能' reflects a cultural value where individuals are encouraged to develop their skills and contribute positively to society.

Word Family of 能

Compounds5
熊Xiong2surname Xiong
螚
褦
態tai4manner, bearing, attitude
熋
Words Containing This Character20
能néngcan
可能kěnéngpossible
不能cannot
能力nénglìcapability
能够nénggòucan能夠
只能zhǐnéngcan only
功能gōngnéngfunction
才能cáinéngtalent
不可能impossible
能源néngyuánenergy
能否néngfǒuwhether or not
性能xìngnéngfunction
能量néngliàngenergy
可能性possibility
技能jìnéngskill
未能cannot
职能zhínéngfunction職能
智能zhìnéngable
尽可能jǐnkěnéngas far as possible儘可能
节能jiénéngto save energy節能
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 熊 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 能

Yes, 能 (Néng) can also be a Chinese surname. While it is not one of the most common surnames, it is recognized in Chinese culture. When used as a surname, it is pronounced with a rising tone.