能不能

néngbunéng

phrase HSK 3

Meanings

1 can or cannot?
2 is it possible? (question form)

Characters

This is an A-not-A question pattern: verb + 不 + verb, used to ask yes/no questions.

Examples

你能不能帮我？

Nǐ néng bu néng bāng wǒ?

Can you help me?

你能不能安静一下？

Nǐ néng bu néng ānjìng yīxià?

Can you be quiet for a moment?

明天能不能来？

Míngtiān néng bu néng lái?

Can you come tomorrow?

Tips

grammar

能不能 is the A-not-A question form of 能. It's equivalent to adding 吗 at the end: 你能帮我吗？= 你能不能帮我？

usage

能不能 can also express a polite request or slight frustration depending on tone: 你能不能别说了？(Can you please stop talking?)

Stroke Order

能 néng

不 bù