Modal Verb: 敢 (dare)
能愿动词：敢
Use the modal verb 敢 to express courage, daring, or the nerve to do something
Place 敢 before the main verb to express that someone dares or has the courage to do something. The negative 不敢 means "dare not" or "do not have the nerve to." In questions, 敢 often challenges or provokes.
敢 is one of the modal verbs (能愿动词) in Chinese. Like other modals (会, 能, 可以), it goes directly before the verb with no particle in between.
Lesson Targets
Podcast
Podcast: Modal Verb: 敢 (dare) (能愿动词：敢)
Listen to Jason & Amy explain the 能愿动词：敢 pattern
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Understanding 能愿动词：敢
The modal verb 敢 (gǎn) expresses courage, boldness, or the nerve to do something. It fills a gap that other modal verbs like 能 and 会 cannot — those deal with ability and possibility, while 敢 is about psychological readiness and bravery. When you say 我不敢 (wǒ bù gǎn), you are saying "I don't dare" — the ability might be there, but the courage is not. 敢 is very common in everyday speech: 你敢不敢试试？ (Do you dare to try?) is a classic way to challenge a friend. In questions, 敢 often carries a sense of provocation or disbelief: 你敢吗？ (Do you dare?). The negative form 不敢 is used much more frequently than the positive form, because people more often talk about what they are afraid to do.
Key Points
- 敢 (gǎn) = "dare to; have the nerve to" — expresses courage or boldness.
- 不敢 (bù gǎn) = "dare not; do not have the courage to" — very common in daily speech.
- 敢 goes directly before the verb: 敢说 (dare to say), 敢做 (dare to do).
- In questions, 敢不敢 is a common pattern to challenge someone: 你敢不敢跳？
- 敢 can combine with other adverbs: 还敢 (still dare), 真敢 (really dare), 怎么敢 (how dare).
- Unlike 能 (physical ability) or 会 (learned skill), 敢 is purely about psychological courage.
In Chinese culture, the phrase 你敢！ (Nǐ gǎn!) said with a stern tone is a warning meaning "Don't you dare!" It is commonly heard from parents to children or between people in a confrontation. On the flip side, 勇敢 (yǒnggǎn, "brave") is a highly valued quality and is frequently used to encourage someone.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
这儿有两米高，你敢跳下去吗？
It is two meters high here — do you dare to jump down?
我不敢在河里游泳。
I don't dare to swim in the river.
他很勇敢，什么都敢做。
He is very brave — he dares to do anything.
你敢不敢一个人走夜路？
Do you dare to walk alone at night?
我不敢跟老板说这件事。
I don't dare tell the boss about this.
他还敢迟到？太过分了！
He still dares to be late? That's too much!
Expresses anger or disbelief
小时候我不敢一个人睡觉。
When I was little, I didn't dare to sleep alone.
Common Mistakes
Do not stack modal verbs. Use either 不敢 (lack of courage) or 不能 (lack of ability), not both together.
The particle 了 goes at the end of the sentence or after the main verb, not directly after the modal verb 敢.
In Chinese, the reason clause (因为) typically comes before the result. Placing it at the end sounds unnatural.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
When in doubt between 不能 and 不敢, ask: "Is it about ability or about fear?" If fear, use 不敢.
The challenge pattern 敢不敢 is great for casual conversation — try it with friends to practice.
Remember: 你敢！ with a strong tone means "Don't you dare!" — it is a warning, not a question.
Practice by listing things you were afraid of as a child: 我小时候不敢... is a natural, relatable sentence pattern.
Homework
Write six sentences about things you dare and don't dare to do. Use 敢 in three positive sentences and 不敢 in three negative sentences. Try to include the patterns 敢不敢, 还敢, and 真敢.