Can, want and must
会, 能, 可以, 想, 要, 应该 and 得 before a verb.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 会 huì | can, from learning; will, is likely to | 我会说汉语。 I can speak Chinese. |
| 能 néng | can, is able to, when nothing prevents it | 我今天不能去。 I can't go today. |
| 可以 kěyǐ | may, can, is allowed | 我可以进来吗？ May I come in? |
| 想 xiǎng | would like to | 我想喝水。 I'd like some water. |
| 要 yào | want to, are going to; must | 我要去中国。 I'm going to China. |
| 应该 yīnggāi | should | 你应该休息。 You should rest. |
| 得 děi | have to, in speech | 我得走了。 I have to go. |
- Wǒ huì yóuyǒng.I can swim.
- Míngtiān huì xià yǔ.It will rain tomorrow.
- Wǒ jīntiān bù néng qù.I can't go today.
- Wǒ kěyǐ jìnlai ma?May I come in?
- Wǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi.I'd like a coffee.
- Wǒ děi zǒu le.I have to go.
Negatives
不会 can't (haven't learned), won't; 不能 can't; 不可以 mustn't; 不想 don't want to. "Don't have to" is 不用 bú yòng, not 不要, which means "don't!".
- Nǐ bú yòng dānxīn.You don't need to worry.
Cards from this guide
10 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Verbs cards.
会 or 能: which says "I can swim", a skill you learned?
会: 我会游泳.
How do you ask "May I come in?"
我可以进来吗？
How do you say "I'd like a coffee"?
我想喝咖啡。
How do you say "You don't need to worry"?
你不用担心。
How do you say "You should rest"?
你应该休息。
How do you say "I have to go" in everyday speech?
我得走了 (wǒ děi zǒu le).
How do you say "It will rain tomorrow" with 会?
明天会下雨。
How do you say "I can't go today", because something prevents it?
我今天不能去。
What does 不要 before a verb mean?
"Don't!": it tells someone not to do it.
How do you say "I'm going to China"?
我要去中国。