会, 能, 可以: three ways to say can in Chinese

Learn the difference between 会, 能, and 可以 with examples, pinyin, English translations, and usage notes.

I can speak Chinese, but I cannot go today.

English uses “can” for many jobs. Mandarin splits those jobs.

会 often means a learned ability.

能 often means physical ability or circumstances allow it.

可以 often means permission or that something is acceptable.

Compare

Chinese	Pinyin	English	Use it for
我会开车。	wǒ huì kāi chē.	I can drive.	Learned skill
我今天不能开车。	wǒ jīn tiān bù néng kāi chē.	I cannot drive today.	Situation prevents it
我可以坐这里吗？	wǒ kě yǐ zuò zhè lǐ ma?	Can I sit here?	Permission

If you translate every “can” as 可以, you will be understood sometimes and sound clumsy often. That is better than silence, but it is not the target.

可以 often means permission or acceptability. It can be polite, but context decides.