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能否

néngfǒu
adverb HSK 6 #2,113

Meanings

  1. 1 whether or not; can or cannot
  2. 2 whether it is possible

Characters

能
néng
can; to be able to
否
fǒu
not; whether; deny
Can or cannot - whether or not something is possible.

Examples

HSK 1
能否请你帮个忙？
Néngfǒu qǐng nǐ bāng gè máng?
Could I ask you for a favor?
HSK 4
能否按时完成是个问题。
Néngfǒu ànshí wánchéng shì gè wèntí.
Whether it can be finished on time is a question.
HSK 7-9
成功能否取决于努力。
Chénggōng néngfǒu qǔjuéyú nǔlì.
Whether you succeed or not depends on effort.

Tips

usage
能否 is formal/written. In speech, use 能不能. The pattern X否 is literary: 是否 (whether), 能否 (can or not), 可否 (may or not). 能否 at the start of a question is a polite request form.

Stroke Order

能 néng
否 fǒu