Capability – 能 néng

能 néng – to be able to do

能 néng emphasizes one’s natural ability, as opposed to learned ability. It refers to the ability to do something without the need for training or education, and can also be used to describe changes in one’s ability over time. It is similar in meaning to “to be able to do something.”

我wǒ能néng說話shuōhuà我wǒ能néng说话shuōhuà
I can talk.

我wǒ能néng一次yícì喝hē下xià10 罐guàn啤酒píjiǔ我wǒ能néng一次yícì喝hē下xià10 罐guàn啤酒píjiǔ
I can drink 10 cans of beer at one time.

FYI
Did you know that Taiwanese people are known as the “worst drinkers” in the world? It’s not because we don’t like to have fun, but around half of us have a genetic condition that makes it difficult for our bodies to process alcohol properly. This means that we experience symptoms of alcohol intolerance such as facial flushing, rapid heartbeat, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and even hangovers more easily than others. So, if you’re looking to make friends with Taiwanese people, you might want to consider doing something other than drinking to bond with us.

他tā不能bùnéng吃chī辣là他tā不能bùnéng吃chī辣là
He can’t eat spicy food.

我wǒ不能bùnéng說shuō中文Zhōngwén我wǒ不能bùnéng说shuō中文Zhōngwén (X)
I can’t speak Chinese.
(In this case, we don’t use 能 néng because the reason why you cannot speak Chinese is that you haven’t learned it, rather than any physiological problem that prevents you from speaking.)

能 néng – capability

When it is used with an object, the word 能 néng generally means ‘capability.’ It refers to the capacity or power to do something, accomplish a specific task, or perform a certain action.

我的wǒde手機shǒujī能néng防水fángshuǐ我的wǒde手机shǒujī能néng防水fángshuǐ
My phone is waterproof.

這zhè件jiàn衣服yīfú不能bùnéng水洗shuǐxǐ这zhè件jiàn衣服yīfu不能bùnéng水洗shuǐxǐ
This piece of clothing cannot be water-washed.

這zhè個ge盒子hézi能néng加熱jiārè嗎ma？ 这zhè个ge盒子hézi能néng加热jiārè吗ma？
Can this box be heated?

那nà杯子bēizi能néng裝zhuāng500ml 的de水shuǐ那nà杯子bēizi能néng装zhuāng500ml 的de水shuǐ
Can that cup hold 500ml of water?

工作gōngzuò能néng給gěi我wǒ成就感chéngjiùgǎn工作gōngzuò能néng给gěi我wǒ成就感chéngjiùgǎn
My job can give me a sense of accomplishment.

能 néng – possibility

能 néng can be used to express possibility:

你nǐ今天jīntiān能néng來lái我家wǒjiā嗎ma? 你nǐ今天jīntiān能néng来lái我家wǒjiā吗ma?
Can you come to my place today?
(Is it possible for you to come to my place today?)

你nǐ能néng把bǎ鹽yán遞dì給gěi我wǒ嗎ma？ 你nǐ能néng把bǎ盐yán递dì给gěi我wǒ吗ma？
Can you pass the salt to me?

你nǐ能néng說shuō慢màn一點yìdiǎn嗎ma？ 你nǐ能néng说shuō慢màn一点yìdiǎn吗ma？
Can you say it a little slower?

你nǐ能néng閉嘴bìzuǐ嗎ma？ 你nǐ能néng闭嘴bìzuǐ吗ma？
Could you shut up?

我wǒ今天jīntiān很hěn忙máng， 不能bùnéng去qù你家nǐjiā我wǒ今天jīntiān很hěn忙máng， 不能bùnéng去qù你家nǐjiā
I am quite busy today, so I can’t go to your place.
(No possible)