Usage note
能干表示有本领、做事厉害。
néng gàn biǎo shì yǒu běn lǐng 、 zuò shì lì hài。
能干 means capable and good at doing things.
Context note
能干常用于人、工作和夸奖。
néng gàn cháng yòng yú rén 、 gōng zuò hé kuā jiǎng。
It is often used with people, work, and praise.
5 examples
她很能干。
tā hěn néng gàn。
She is very capable.
这个孩子真能干。
zhè ge hái zi zhēn néng gàn。
This child is really capable.
他做事很能干。
tā zuò shì hěn néng gàn。
He is very capable at work.
能干的人很多。
néng gàn de rén hěn duō。
There are many capable people.
妈妈很能干。
mā ma hěn néng gàn。
Mom is very capable.
5 mini stories
老师夸她很能干。
lǎo shī kuā tā hěn néng gàn。
The teacher praised her for being capable.
他会做很多事，真能干。
tā huì zuò hěn duō shì， zhēn néng gàn。
He can do many things and is really capable.
能干的人通常很受欢迎。
néng gàn de rén tōng cháng hěn shòu huān yíng。
Capable people are usually very popular.
她把家里整理得很能干。
tā bǎ jiā lǐ zhěng lǐ dé hěn néng gàn。
She organized the home very well.
大家都觉得他很能干。
dà jiā dōu jué de tā hěn néng gàn。
Everyone thinks he is very capable.
Mini dialogue
能干的学生
A
小明很能干，他会做数学题。
Xiǎo Míng hěn nénggàn, tā huì zuò shùxué tí.
Xiao Ming is very capable; he can do math problems.
B
是的，他真能干！
Shì de, tā zhēn nénggàn!
Yes, he is really capable!
帮妈妈
A
你能帮我洗碗吗？
Nǐ néng bāng wǒ xǐ wǎn ma?
Can you help me wash the dishes?
B
当然，我很能干！
Dāngrán, wǒ hěn nénggàn!
Of course, I am very capable!
Related words and contrasts
similar
有能力
yǒu nénglì
capable; having ability
More formal way to express capability.
opposite
笨拙
bènzhuō
clumsy; awkward
Opposite of capable, used for lack of skill.
related
能干的人
nénggàn de rén
a capable person
Phrase using 能干 to describe someone competent.