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What's the difference between 能 and 会?
Nov 20, 2010 10:30 PM
Answers · 9
1
能 indicates ability to do something. 你能不能去? Can you go? 会 shows willingness to do something. 你会不会去? Will you go?
November 20, 2010
Hmm... ya that is right but I think "会” here isn't indicating the physical capacity to do something but the knowledge and skill to do something. 能 is the physical ability. Maybe that's why it's strange to ask "你能做饭吗?“ unless the person is severely ill or lacking essential equipment, like a stove, this question wouldn't make sense "你会做饭吗?“ makes more sense. Right?
November 22, 2010
Thanks a lot everyone! :) That's very helpful.
November 21, 2010
会 = have, has, had or will. 能 = can.
November 21, 2010
in different situations, they may have different meanings. e.g. 你会做饭吗?Ni3hui4zuo4fan4me0? Do you have the ability of cooking? You also can say: 你能做饭吗? But here "会" is better than "能".
November 21, 2010
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