néng

能

HSK 1Character · Noun · Adjective · Modal verb

ability; energy; capable; can

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

4 senses · 17 examples
1.

noun

ability; talent; capability

Refers to a person's skill, talent, or capacity to do something.

Tā他
de的
jì技
shù术
néng能
lì力
hěn很
qiáng强
 ,
hěn很
kuài快
jiù就
shēng升
zhí职
le了
 。

His technical ability is very strong, so he got promoted quickly.

Zhè这
gè个
xiàng项
mù目
xū需
yào要
yǒu有
tuán团
duì队
hé合
zuò作
néng能
lì力
de的
rén人
cái才
 。

This project needs people with teamwork ability.

Show 3 more examples
Wú无
néng能
zhī之
bèi辈
hěn很
nán难
wán完
chéng成
fù复
zá杂
de的
rèn任
wù务
 。

Incompetent people find it hard to finish complex tasks.

Tā她
de的
gōu沟
tōng通
néng能
lì力
dé得
dào到
le了
tóng同
shì事
men们
de的
rèn认
kě可
 。

Her communication skills were recognized by colleagues.

Nián年
qīng轻
rén人
yīng应
gāi该
péi培
yǎng养
zì自
jǐ己
de的
chuàng创
xīn新
néng能
lì力
 。

Young people should cultivate their innovative abilities.

2.

noun

energy (short for 能量)

technical

Shortened term for physical energy, atomic energy, etc., used in scientific contexts.

Tài太
yáng阳
néng能
shì是
yī一
zhǒng种
qīng清
jié洁
de的
kě可
zài再
shēng生
néng能
 。

Solar energy is a clean renewable energy source.

Hé核
néng能
shì是
yī一
zhǒng种
gāo高
xiào效
de的
néng能
yuán源
 。

Nuclear energy is a highly efficient energy source.

Show 1 more example
Rén人
tǐ体
xū需
yào要
tōng通
guò过
shí食
wù物
huò获
qǔ取
néng能
 。

The human body needs to obtain energy through food.

3.

adjective

capable; talented; competent

Describes a person who has the skill or talent to complete tasks well.

Tā他
shì是
gè个
hěn很
néng能
de的
rén人
 ,
shén什
me么
shì事
dōu都
nán难
bù不
dǎo倒
tā他
 。

He is a very capable person; nothing can stump him.

Néng能
zhě者
duō多
láo劳
 ,
suǒ所
yǐ以
tā他
zǒng总
shì是
hěn很
máng忙
 。

Capable people take on more work, so he is always busy.

Show 2 more examples
Zhè这
gè个
tuán团
duì队
lǐ里
shù数
tā他
zuì最
néng能
 。

He is the most capable person in this team.

Mā妈
ma妈
shì是
jiā家
lǐ里
zuì最
néng能
de的
rén人
 ,
shén什
me么
dōu都
huì会
zuò做
 。

Mom is the most capable person in the family, she can do everything.

4.

modal verb

can; be able to; be capable of

A highly versatile modal verb with multiple usage rules as detailed in the original dictionary note.

Mì蜜
fēng蜂
néng能
niàng酿
chū出
xiāng香
tián甜
de的
fēng蜂
mì蜜
 。

Bees can make sweet honey.

Wǒ我
men们
yī一
dìng定
néng能
àn按
shí时
wán完
chéng成
zhè这
xiàng项
rèn任
wù务
 。

We will definitely finish this task on time.

Show 3 more examples
Zhè这
běn本
shū书
shén什
me么
shí时
hou候
néng能
chū出
bǎn版
 ?

When will this book be published?

Tā他
bìng病
hǎo好
le了
 ,
xiàn现
zài在
néng能
xià下
chuáng床
zǒu走
lù路
le了
 。

He is recovered now, and can walk around the bed.

Nǐ你
bù不
néng能
bù不
zūn遵
shǒu守
xué学
xiào校
de的
guī规
zhāng章
zhì制
dù度
 。

You must obey the school rules and regulations.