huì

Expressing a learned skill with "hui"

会 is "can" in the sense of a skill you acquired by learning.

会 + Verb

How it works

他会说中文 — he can speak Chinese, because he learned how. Languages, instruments, swimming, driving, cooking: all 会.

If the ability is about circumstances rather than training — permission, physical possibility, being free — you want 能 or 可以 instead.

Negate with 不会.

Examples

  • tā huì shuō zhōng wén

    他会说中文。

    He can speak Chinese.

  • wǒ bú huì kāi chē

    我不会开车。

    I can't drive.

  • nǐ huì zuò fàn ma?

    你会做饭吗?

    Can you cook?