HSK 3 · Ability & Possibility

能不能

néng bu néng

can or cannot

Stroke order of 能不能

3 characters, 24 strokes in total. Watch the animation, then try writing it yourself.

能 · 10 strokes 不 · 4 strokes 能 · 10 strokes

Memory trick

Can 能, not 不, can 能: asking both ways whether it's possible.

Parts: 能 can + 不 not + 能 can

The characters in 能不能

能 néng — can; be able to (10 strokes)
不 bù — not; no (4 strokes)
能 néng — can; be able to (10 strokes)

Example sentence

你能不能帮我一下？

Can you help me out?

Words with 能

能can; be able to 只能can only 可能possible; maybe 能够to be able to 功能function 能力ability 才能talent; ability

Words with 不

不客气you're welcome 对不起sorry 不not; no 不大not very; not often 不用no need 不对incorrect 是不是is it or not 不久soon; not long after 不一会儿in a short while 不少quite a lot 不够not enough 不满dissatisfied 不好意思sorry; embarrassed 不一定not necessarily 差不多almost; about the same 不要don't 不行no way; won't do 不过but; however

Words with 能

能can; be able to 只能can only 可能possible; maybe 能够to be able to 功能function 能力ability 才能talent; ability

More words: Ability & Possibility

能力ability 才能talent; ability 本领skill; ability 本事ability; skill 实力strength; capability 力force; strength 力量power; strength 敢to dare 应当should; ought to 必要necessary 必然inevitable; certainly 有的是to have plenty of 没用useless 有效effective; valid

Learn to write it by hand

Bloomko is a free Android app: write characters stroke by stroke, practise with spaced repetition and get an AI tutor that works offline. Be the first to know when it launches.