会
HSK 1- Modal verbs
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Subject会Verb(Object)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
The auxiliary verb 会 has two main meanings: 'know how to' do a learned skill, or 'will' happen in the future.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
You will encounter 会 (huì) in two main situations:
- Expressing a learned skill: Use
会to say you "know how to do something" as a result of learning or practice. For example: knowing how to drive, speak a foreign language, or cook. This differs from知道(zhīdào), which means "to know a piece of information." - Predicting the future: Use
会to talk about a possibility or something that "will" happen in the future, based on experience or the current situation. For example: it will rain, he will come.
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我会说汉语。繁: 我會說漢語。Wǒ huì shuō hànyǔ.
I can speak Chinese.
- 他会开车吗？繁: 他會開車嗎？Tā huì kāi chē ma?
Does he know how to drive?
- 明天会下雨。繁: 明天會下雨。Míngtiān huì xià yǔ.
It will rain tomorrow.
- 你放心，我会帮你的。繁: 你放心，我會幫你的。Nǐ fàngxīn, wǒ huì bāng nǐ de.
You can rest assured, I will help you.
- 我不会游泳。繁: 我不會游泳。Wǒ bú huì yóuyǒng.
I cannot swim.