Can I sit here

New word

坐 zuò sit

能 néng can/ able

Language points

The sentence structure 能……吗？often used to indicate a request of hope for permission.

Here is a situation: 你的朋友有一本汉语书，你想看。What should you say to your friend?

我能看你的汉语书吗？ Wǒ néng kàn nǐ de Hànyǔ shū ma？Can I read your Chinese book The sentence structure is 能……吗？ Here is a situation: 你的朋友有一本汉语书，你想看。What should you say to your friend? 很好。我能看你的汉语书吗？

Here is another situation: 明天你不上课，想去朋友家。What should you say to your parents? 明天我能去朋友家吗？

The 能……吗？structure is often used to indicate a request of hope for permission.

能 VS 会

We have also learnt another word for can——会。

会 is to describe ability that can be gained from learning.

For example: 你会做中国菜吗？means if you are able to make Chinese food.

你会写汉字吗？means if you have the ability to write Chinese character.

能 indicates an ability or possibility.

明天你能做中国菜吗？doesn’t mean if you have the ability to make Chinese food but if it is possible to make Chinese food tomorrow.