Usage note
能用来表示某人或某物能够做某事。
néng lái yòng de bǎo shí měi rén huò zhě mǒu wù néng gòu zuò mǒu shì.
能 is used to indicate that someone or something can do something.
Context note
能常见于描述能力或可能性的句子中。
néng jǐn xiàn yú miáo huì néng lì huò qǔ néng lì xíng chéng de jù zi zhōng.
能 is commonly found in sentences describing abilities or possibilities.
5 examples
他能跑得很快。
tā néng pǎo dé hěn kuài。
He can run very fast.
这个玩具能发出声音。
zhè ge wán jù néng fā chū shēng yīn。
This toy can make sounds.
你不能吃太多糖。
nǐ bù néng chī tài duō táng。
You cannot eat too much sugar.
她能弹钢琴。
tā néng tán gāng qín。
She can play the piano.
这个箱子不能打开。
zhè ge xiāng zǐ bù néng dǎ kāi。
This box cannot be opened.
5 mini stories
小明能跑得很快，所以他经常参加跑步比赛。
xiǎo míng néng pǎo dé hěn kuài， suǒ yǐ tā jīng cháng cān jiā pǎo bù bǐ sài。
Xiaoming can run very fast, so he often participates in running races.
妈妈能做很多好吃的菜，所以大家都喜欢她。
mā ma néng zuò hěn duō hǎo chī de cài， suǒ yǐ dà jiā dōu xǐ huan tā。
Mom can cook many delicious dishes, so everyone likes her.
爸爸能修理家里的电器，所以他很受欢迎。
bà ba néng xiū lǐ jiā lǐ de diàn qì， suǒ yǐ tā hěn shòu huān yíng。
Dad can fix the household appliances, so he is very popular.
妹妹能唱很多歌，所以她经常在幼儿园唱歌。
mèi mei néng chàng hěn duō gē， suǒ yǐ tā jīng cháng zài yòu ér yuán chàng gē。
Sister can sing many songs, so she often sings in kindergarten.
爷爷能讲很多有趣的故事，所以他很受孩子们欢迎。
yé ye néng jiǎng hěn duō yǒu qù de gù shì， suǒ yǐ tā hěn shòu hái zi men huān yíng。
Grandpa can tell many interesting stories, so he is very popular among children.
Mini dialogue
能帮我吗
A
你能帮我吗？
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?
Can you help me?
B
当然能。
Dāngrán néng.
Of course I can.
能游泳
A
你能游泳吗？
Nǐ néng yóuyǒng ma?
Can you swim?
B
能，我很喜欢游泳。
Néng, wǒ hěn xǐhuān yóuyǒng.
Yes, I can. I like swimming very much.
Related words and contrasts
similar
可以
kěyǐ
may; can (permission)
能 often means ability; 可以 often means permission. Sometimes they overlap.
contrast
会
huì
can (learned skill); will
会 is for learned skills or future events; 能 is for general ability or possibility.