Can, must & want in Chinese 能愿动词
néng yuàn dòngcí
What can you do, and what do you have to do? 15 essential can, must & want words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 会 | huì | can (learned skill) |
| 能 | néng | can (able to) |
| 可以 | kě yǐ | may; can (allowed) |
| 要 | yào | want to; going to |
| 想 | xiǎng | would like to |
| 应该 | yīng gāi | should |
| 必须 | bì xū | must |
| 得 | děi | have to |
| 需要 | xū yào | to need |
| 愿意 | yuàn yì | to be willing |
| 敢 | gǎn | to dare |
| 不用 | bù yòng | no need |
| 别 | bié | don't |
| 不要 | bù yào | don't; don't want |
| 可能 | kě néng | might; possible |
Example sentences
- 我会游泳。I can swim.
- 你明天能来吗？Can you come tomorrow?
- 这里可以拍照吗？Can we take photos here?
- 我要去银行。I need to go to the bank.
- 我想喝咖啡。I'd like a coffee.
- 你应该早点儿睡。You should go to bed earlier.
- 上课必须准时。You must be on time for class.
- 我得走了。I have to go.
- 你需要帮助吗？Do you need help?
- 你愿意跟我去吗？Would you be willing to come with me?
- 我不敢一个人去。I don't dare go on my own.
- 不用谢！No need to thank me!
- 别说话了。Stop talking.
- 不要忘了带伞。Don't forget your umbrella.
- 明天可能会下雨。It might rain tomorrow.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Can, must & want speaking island has 8 everyday questions about can, must & want to prepare your own answers to.