Chinese Modal Verbs — 能, 会, 可以, 要, 应该, 得

能 (néng) means "can" or "be able to" and describes physical ability, capacity, or what circumstances allow. 我能说中文 (wǒ néng shuō zhōng wén) — I can speak Chinese. 他能游一百米 (tā néng yóu yī bǎi mǐ) — he can swim one hundred meters.

It also expresses possibility or whether a situation permits something: 明天你能来吗 (míng tiān nǐ néng lái ma) — can you come tomorrow? 这里不能停车 (zhè lǐ bù néng tíng chē) — you cannot park here. The negative is 不能 (bù néng).

能 leans toward a momentary, situational ability: whether you are physically able right now, or whether the situation lets you. 我感冒了，不能去 (wǒ gǎn mào le, bù néng qù) — I have a cold, I cannot go.

会 (huì) has two core meanings: a learned skill ("know how to") and a future event ("will"). For skills, 会 means you learned to do something: 我会游泳 (wǒ huì yóu yǒng) — I know how to swim. 她会说三种语言 (tā huì shuō sān zhǒng yǔ yán) — she can speak three languages.

For the future, 会 marks a prediction or intention: 明天会下雨 (míng tiān huì xià yǔ) — it will rain tomorrow. 我会给你打电话 (wǒ huì gěi nǐ dǎ diàn huà) — I will call you. The negative 不会 (bù huì) means "will not" or "do not know how to": 我不会开车 (wǒ bù huì kāi chē) — I do not know how to drive.

Contrast 会 and 能: 会 is a skill you have acquired over time, while 能 is the physical capacity or situation allowing it right now. 我会游泳 but 我今天不能游 because I am sick.

可以 (kě yǐ) means "may" or "be allowed to", asking or granting permission: 我可以进来吗 (wǒ kě yǐ jìn lái ma) — may I come in? 你可以走了 (nǐ kě yǐ zǒu le) — you may go now. The negative 不可以 (bù kě yǐ) means "not allowed": 这里不可以拍照 (zhè lǐ bù kě yǐ pāi zhào) — no photos here.

It also works as a soft suggestion or "it is fine": 你可以试试这个 (nǐ kě yǐ shì shì zhè ge) — you can try this one. As a standalone reply, 可以 means "OK / that works": 我们明天见，可以吗？可以 (wǒ men míng tiān jiàn, kě yǐ ma? kě yǐ) — shall we meet tomorrow? OK.

Contrast 可以 and 能: 可以 emphasizes permission, 能 emphasizes ability or objective possibility. 我可以帮你 (I may help you, if you allow) vs 我能帮你 (I am able to help you). In many daily cases they overlap, but 可以 leans polite and permissive.

要 (yào) means "want" and, in the future sense, "be going to". 我要一杯咖啡 (wǒ yào yī bēi kā fēi) — I want a cup of coffee. 我要去北京 (wǒ yào qù běi jīng) — I am going to Beijing. It can also mean "need to / must": 你要小心 (nǐ yào xiǎo xīn) — you need to be careful.

想 (xiǎng) is a softer "want" expressing a wish or intention: 我想学中文 (wǒ xiǎng xué zhōng wén) — I would like to learn Chinese. 我想回家 (wǒ xiǎng huí jiā) — I want to go home. Use 想 for polite desires, 要 for direct requests or firm plans.

The negatives differ: 不想 (bù xiǎng) — do not want to, 不要 (bù yào) — do not (imperative) / do not want. 不要 is also a command meaning "do not": 不要说话 (bù yào shuō huà) — do not talk. In questions, 想 is polite: 你想喝什么 (nǐ xiǎng hē shén me) — what would you like to drink?

应该 (yīng gāi) means "should" or "ought to", expressing advice or obligation: 你应该多喝水 (nǐ yīng gāi duō hē shuǐ) — you should drink more water. 你应该早点睡 (nǐ yīng gāi zǎo diǎn shuì) — you should sleep earlier. The negative 不应该 (bù yīng gāi) means "should not".

得 (děi) means "must" or "have to", a strong necessity with no choice: 我得走了 (wǒ děi zǒu le) — I have to go. 你得带护照 (nǐ děi dài hù zhào) — you must bring your passport. 得 is more colloquial and forceful than 应该.

To say "do not need to", use 不用 (bù yòng) or 不必 (bù bì), not 不得: 你不用带钱 (nǐ bù yòng dài qián) — you do not need to bring money. Note 得 (děi, must) is different from 得 (de, a particle after verbs): 我跑得很快 (wǒ pǎo de hěn kuài) — I run very fast.