Modal verbs
December 2, 2007 – 10:01 pmA modal verb expresses the modality of another verb. An example would be: You must go now! In this case “must” indicates the modality. Without modal verbs You cannot express Yourself. Here is a list to get You started.
会 huì - can, fundamentally be able to do something
能 néng - can, able to something under the given constraints
可以 kěyǐ - may
应该 yīnggāi - should
必须 bìxū - must, very formal, because some law requires it or because of an obligation.
得 děi - have to，this is way more informal than 必须
Especially 会 and 能 can cause some headache. Here is how to keep them apart: You 会 walk naked on the street, however You 不能, because some would put You into the mad peoples house. The evil system says: 不可以!
Let’s go for some examples:
你会说汉语吗。
nǐ huì shuō hànyǔ ma - Can You speak Chinese?
星期天不能借书。
xīngqītiān bùnéng jiè shū - At sunday You can’t borrow a book.
我可不可以在这儿抽烟。
wǒ kě bù kěyǐ zài zhèr chōuyān - May I smoke a cigarette here?
你不应该这么做。
nǐ bù yīnggāi zhème zuò - You shouldn’t do this.
我们得商量商量。
wǒmen děi shāngliang shāngliang - We have to talk a bit.
Let’s hope Your girlfriend doesn’t have to say the last one to You, or she might add 你可以走了。
If You can’t read the Chinese, use a firefox plugin like Chinese Pera Kun to translate the Chinese characters.
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