能否

néngfǒu

adverb HSK 6 #2,113

Meanings

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

Characters

can; to be able to

not; whether; deny

Can or cannot — whether or not something is possible.

Examples

能否请你帮个忙？

Néngfǒu qǐng nǐ bāng gè máng?

Could I ask you for a favor?

成功能否取决于努力。

Chénggōng néngfǒu qǔjuéyú nǔlì.

Whether you succeed or not depends on effort.

我不确定他能否来。

Wǒ bù quèdìng tā néngfǒu lái.

I'm not sure whether he can come.

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.

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