\tCan(\u4f1a) or Able(\u80fd) is an English word where translating into Chinese can be tricky depending on the situation.<\/p>\n
\tThe differences between the two are very real, and become relatively simple with ample practice and real world exposure.<\/p>\n
\tWhen you think about “can” in English, it *can* mean a lot of things. It can indicate your “learned” ability to do something (I can play the piano), your ability to complete an action based on circumstances (I can go tomorrow), or whether you are “allowed” to do something (can we smoke in here?)<\/p>\n
\tWe’ll take a look at both \u4f1a and \u80fd separately, dive into some simple example sentences, and finish up with key takeaways.<\/p>\n
\t1. \u4f1a- huì Definition: can, able, will<\/strong><\/p>\n \tAh, yes, the beloved \u4f1a. Conjuring up images of meetings, parties, and all other types of social gatherings, it is one of the most commonly encountered of all Chinese characters (number 18 on the Mandarin Poster). For the purposes of this piece, let’s put aside its “social” definitions (\u793e\u4f1a- shèhuì -society, \u805a\u4f1a- jù huì- party), and focus specifically on its contrast with \u80fd.<\/p>\n \tThe most common use of \u4f1a is “can” or “able to”, specifically for learned knowledge. Use it for actions you know how to do because you acquired the skill as a result of study, not necessarily because you were born with an innate ability.<\/p>\n \tExamples:<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\u4f1a is also commonly used to indicate “will”, or “will be”. As shown in the example sentences below, “I will…” or “it will” is typically “\u4f1a…”<\/p>\n \tExamples:<\/strong><\/p>\n \t2. \u80fd- néng Definition: Ability, capable of, able to<\/strong><\/p>\n \tUse \u80fd to indicate physical ability to do something or complete a task. Considering the present circumstances, \u80fd indicates whether you are “capable” of completing the action based on the situation.<\/p>\n \tExamples:<\/strong><\/p>\n \t\u80fd can also mean “be allowed to” or “may do”. In this case it is often interchangeable with \u53ef\u4ee5, but not with \u4f1a.<\/p>\n \tExamples:<\/strong><\/p>\n \tSo…Remember this!<\/strong><\/p>\n \t1. \u6211\u4f1a\u559d\u9152\uff0c \u4f46\u662f\u73b0\u5728\u4e0d\u80fd. I am able to drink alcohol, but I cannot right now. Thus, I \u4f1a drink, but right now, because of present circumstances (I have to drive later, I have an important meeting in the morning, my girlfriend will get angry), I \u4e0d\u80fd.<\/p>\n \t2. Use \u80fd when your physical ability to do something is dependent on the situation. Use \u4f1a for learned ability, blind to present circumstance.<\/p>\n \t3. In addition to both meaning “can”, \u4f1a means “will” or “will do”, where \u80fd means “allowed to”.<\/p>\n
\t\u4ed6\u4f1a\u505a\u996d<\/div>\n
\t\u6211\u4e0d\u4f1a\u8bf4\u65e5\u8bed<\/div>\n
\t\u4ed6\u4eec\u90fd\u4e0d\u4f1a\u6253\u7bee\u7403<\/div>\n
\t\u660e\u5929\u4f1a\u4e0b\u96e8\u5417?<\/div>\n
\t\u4f60\u4f1a\u53bb\u5417?<\/div>\n
\t\u4f60\u653e\u5fc3\uff0c \u660e\u5929\u6211\u4f1a\u51c6\u65f6\u6765<\/div>\n
\t\u6211\u660e\u5929\u4e0d\u80fd\u53bb\u6e38\u6cf3<\/div>\n
\t\u4ed6\u4e00\u6b21\u80fd\u559d7\u5e73\u5564\u9152<\/div>\n
\t\u4f60\u80fd\u5e2e\u6211\u4e00\u4e2a\u5fd9?<\/div>\n
\t\u5728\u5ba4\u5185\u4e0d\u80fd\u62bd\u70df<\/div>\n
\t\u6211\u80fd\u5c1d\u4e00\u4e0b\u5417?<\/div>\n