The modal verb 能
In Chinese, 能 (néng) stands before a verb and expresses the ability, the conditions or the opportunity to do something.
In English it is usually rendered as “can” or “be able to”.
Basic structure
Subject + 能 + verb
Meaning:
someone can do something, or has the chance to.
下午两点你能到吗？
Can you make it at two in the afternoon?
Structure
下午两点 + 你 + 能 + 到 + 吗？
at 2 pm + you + can + arrive + ?
下午两点at two in the afternoon
你you
能can / be able to
到arrive
吗question particle
Here 能 asks whether there is a chance of getting there at two.
爸爸能去。
Dad can go.
Structure
爸爸 + 能 + 去
dad + can + go
爸爸dad
能can
去go
我不能去学校吃午饭。
I can't go to school for lunch.
Structure
我 + 不能 + 去学校 + 吃午饭
I + cannot + go to school + have lunch
我I
不能cannot / have no chance to
去学校go to school
吃午饭have lunch
Here 不能 shows there is no chance of doing it.
The rule in short
Affirmative
能 + verb
can / be able to
Example:
爸爸能去。
Dad can go.
Negative
不能 + verb
cannot / not be able to
Example:
我不能去学校吃午饭。
I can't go to school for lunch.
Question
能 + verb + 吗？
Example:
下午两点你能到吗？
Can you make it at two in the afternoon?