可以 vs 能: what is the difference?
可以 mostly grants permission, as in 这里可以拍照吗？ 能 is more about ability or whether circumstances allow, as in 我今天能来。
| Word | Pinyin | What it does | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 可以 | kě yǐ | Gives or asks permission, or says something is allowed. | 可以 + verb |
| 能 | néng | Says that ability or the situation allows something, rather than giving permission. | 能 + Verb |
可以 (kě yǐ)
Gives or asks permission, or says something is allowed.
Structure: 可以 + verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 这里可以坐吗？ | Zhè lǐ kě yǐ zuò ma? | May I sit here? |
| 你可以用我的手机。 | Nǐ kě yǐ yòng wǒ de shǒu jī. | You can use my phone. |
| 明天你可以不来。 | Míng tiān nǐ kě yǐ bù lái. | You do not have to come tomorrow. |
Not: 可以我坐这里吗？ 可以 sits after the subject: 我可以坐这里吗?
能 (néng)
Says that ability or the situation allows something, rather than giving permission.
Structure: 能 + Verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你明天能来吗？ | Nǐ míng tiān néng lái ma? | Can you come tomorrow? |
| 孩子三岁就能自己穿衣服了。 | Hái zi sān suì jiù néng zì jǐ chuān yī fu le. | The child could dress himself at three. |
| 这个手机能用很多年。 | Zhè ge shǒu jī néng yòng hěn duō nián. | This phone can be used for many years. |
Not: 他很可以吃。 To say someone does a lot of something or is good at it, 很 goes with 能, not 可以: 他很能吃。
Where this comes from
The comparison is part of Modal Verbs: 可能、可以、应该、愿意 (HSK 2) in the grammar reference, which has the full explanation, more worked examples, and what to learn before and after it.
More pairs: 次 vs 遍 · 刚 vs 刚才 · 更 vs 还 · 还 vs 已经 · 看见 vs 看到 · 吗 vs 吧 · 吗 vs 是不是 · 如果 vs 只要 · 上去 vs 上来 · 往 vs 向 · 有点儿 vs 一点儿 · 又 vs 再 · all 81 pairs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 可以 and 能?
可以 mostly grants permission, as in 这里可以拍照吗？ 能 is more about ability or whether circumstances allow, as in 我今天能来。
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