How common it is
能否 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say néngfǒu slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
能否表示是不是可以、能不能。
néng fǒu biǎo shì shì bu shì kě yǐ 、 néng bu néng。
Whether means if it is possible or not.
Context note
能否常出现在礼貌提问和正式表达里。
néng fǒu cháng chū xiàn zài lǐ mào tí wèn hé zhèng shì biǎo dá lǐ。
Whether often appears in polite questions and formal speech.
5 examples
能否帮我？
néng fǒu bāng wǒ？
Could you help me?
能否成功？
néng fǒu chéng gōng？
Can it succeed?
我想知道能否去。
wǒ xiǎng zhī dào néng fǒu qù。
I want to know whether I can go.
请问能否再说一遍？
qǐng wèn néng fǒu zài shuō yí biàn？
May I ask whether you can say it again?
能否参加？
néng fǒu cān jiā？
Can I participate?
5 mini stories
老师问我们能否按时完成。
lǎo shī wèn wǒ men néng fǒu àn shí wán chéng。
The teacher asked whether we could finish on time.
我想知道能否明天再去。
wǒ xiǎng zhī dào néng fǒu míng tiān zài qù。
I want to know whether I can go tomorrow.
能否成功，要看我们有多认真。
néng fǒu chéng gōng， yào kàn wǒ men yǒu duō rèn zhēn。
Whether it succeeds depends on how serious we are.
请问能否借我一支笔？
qǐng wèn néng fǒu jiè wǒ yì zhī bǐ？
May I ask whether you can lend me a pen?
他在想这件事能否马上做好。
tā zài xiǎng zhè jiàn shì néng fǒu mǎ shàng zuò hǎo。
He is thinking about whether this can be done right away.