Chinese Learning

What are the differences between 能 and 会

By ChineseSavvy

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        “能”和“会”都可以翻译成can，但二者有区别。“能”表示能力或可能性，而“会”强调通过学习而掌握某种技能。
         Both of them can be translated into “can”, but there are some differences between them."能"focuses on one’s physical capability or the possibility of a given action, while"会"stresses one’s ability to undertake an action or knowledge of how to undertake said action. 

          For examples:
          a.我会开车，可是今天喝酒了，不能开车。  I  know how to drive a car, but today I have been drinking alcohol, so I cannot drive.
          b.--你会说英语吗？--不会，没学过。   --Do you know how to speak English? --I don’t know how; I have not studied it before.
          c.--你能把车修好吗？--试试吧。  --Can you fix the car? --I will try. 
       
        “会”还可以翻译成will， 而“能”却不可以。 
          "会"can also be translated as "will," whereas "能" cannot.  

          For examples:
          d.我会去参加你们的婚礼的。  I can attend your wedding.
          e.要是我有时间，我会帮你的，可是我最近特别忙，恐怕不能帮你什么了。   If I have time I will help you, but recently I’ve been very busy, so I’m afraid I will not be able to.

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