Word: 能 (néng)

千里能相会，必是有缘人

qiānlǐ néng xiānghuì, bì shì yǒuyuán rén

if people can meet from a thousand li apart, they must be fated to be together

卡车能装五立方米的沙。

Kǎchē néng zhuāng wǔ lìfāngmǐ de Shā.

The truck can carry five cubic meters of sand.

印刷品放大后能看到网点。

Yìnshuāpǐn fàngdà hòu néng kàndào wǎngdiǎn.

You can see the halftone dots when a printed picture is enlarged.

双赢的合作才能长久。

Shuāngyíng de hézuò cái néng chángjiǔ.

Only a cooperation that benefits both sides can last.

只有专家能区分出它们的不同。

Zhǐyǒu zhuānjiā néng qūfēn chū tāmen de bùtóng.

Only an expert can tell them apart.

只有你能保护他们。

Zhǐyǒu nǐ néng bǎohù tāmen.

You are the only one who can protect them.

只有学习才能获得知识。

Zhǐyǒu xuéxí cái néng huòdé zhīshi.

Knowledge can only be obtained by study.

只有法律才能真正伸张公道。

Zhǐyǒu fǎlǜ cái néng zhēnzhèng shēnzhāng gōngdào.

Only the law can truly uphold fairness.

只消一天就能做完。

Zhǐ xiāo yì tiān jiù néng zuò wán.

It only takes one day to finish.

只要他们尽力了就能做到。

Zhǐyào tāmen jìnlì le jiù néng zuòdào.

They could do that if they tried.

只要他写作业，他就能玩游戏了。

Zhǐyào tā xiě zuòyè, tā jiù néng wán yóuxì le.

He can play computer games as long as he does his homework.

只要你肯努力，一定能学好汉语。

Zhǐyào nǐ kěn nǔlì, yídìng néng xuéhǎo Hànyǔ.

As long as you're willing to work hard, you can surely learn Chinese well.

可燃冰看起来像冰，却能点着火。

Kěránbīng kànqǐlai xiàng bīng, què néng diǎnzháo huǒ.

Methane hydrate looks like ice, but it can be set on fire.

台湾能帮助。

Táiwān néng bāngzhù.

Taiwan can help.

听音乐能净化人的心灵。

Tīng yīnyuè néng jìnghuà rén de xīnlíng.

Listening to music can purify the soul.

咖啡里能不能掺一点牛奶？

Kāfēi lǐ néng bùnéng chān yìdiǎn niúnǎi?

Could you add a little milk to the coffee?

哦，能不能请你帮我听一下电话？

Ó, néng bùnéng qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ tīng yíxià diànhuà?

Oh, could you please answer the phone for me?

哪两支球队能晋级下一轮？

Nǎ liǎng zhī qiúduì néng jìnjí xià yìlún?

Which two teams can advance to the next round?

唯有努力，才能实现你的梦想。

Wéiyǒu nǔlì, cái néng shíxiàn nǐ de mèngxiǎng.

Only through hard work can you achieve your dream.

唯有努力，才能考上好大学。

Wéiyǒu nǔlì, cái néng kǎoshàng hǎo dàxué.

Only through hard work can you get into a good university.

四两能拨千斤重

sì liǎng néng bō qiānjīn zhòng

four ounces can move a thousand catties

因为他的病，他没能来。

Yīnwèi tā de bìng, tā méi néng lái.

He can't come because he's ill.

困难最能考验一个人的耐心。

Kùnnan zuì néng kǎoyàn yí gè rén de nàixīn.

Hardship puts a person's patience to the test better than anything.

图上能看清手臂的脉络。

Tú shàng néng kànqīng shǒubì de màiluò.

You can clearly see the network of blood vessels in the arm on the picture.

在哪儿我能找到牙膏？

Zài nǎr wǒ néng zhǎodào yágāo?

Where can I find toothpaste?

在哪儿我能找着他们？

Zài nǎr wǒ néng zhǎozháo tāmen?

Where can I find them?

在哪能买到入场券？

Zài nǎ néng mǎi dào rùchǎngquàn?

Where can you buy a ticket to get in?

在哪里能买到这个？

Zài nǎlǐ néng mǎi dào zhège?

Where can you buy this?

在哪里能借到车？

Zài nǎlǐ néng jiè dào chē?

Where can I borrow a car?

在学分制下，修够学分就能毕业。

Zài xuéfēnzhì xià, xiū gòu xuéfēn jiù néng bìyè.

Under the credit system, you can graduate once you earn enough credits.

在家也能用虚拟现实去旅行。

Zàijiā yě néng yòng xūnǐxiànshí qù lǚxíng.

You can even travel with virtual reality while staying at home.

在手机上就能缴费。

Zài shǒujī shàng jiù néng jiǎofèi.

You can pay the fee right on your phone.

在某种程度上我能了解你。

Zài mǒuzhǒng chéngdù shàng wǒ néng liǎojiě nǐ.

I can understand you to some extent.

坏掉的文件能修复吗？

Huàidiào de wénjiàn néng xiūfù ma?

Can the corrupted file be repaired?

坚持下来，你就能成功。

Jiānchí xiàlai, nǐ jiù néng chénggōng.

Stick with it and you'll succeed.

城里能燃放烟花吗？

Chénglǐ néng ránfàng yānhuā ma?

Can you set off fireworks in the city?

墙上画的烙饼,能看不能吃

qiáng shang huà de làobǐng,néng kàn bùnéng chī

a flatbread painted on the wall: you can look but you can't eat

墙头儿上开荒,能有几分

qiáng tóur shàng kāihuāng,néng yǒu jǐfēn

clearing wasteland on top of a wall: how many fen could you get?

多亏店员机灵，小偷没能跑掉。

Duōkuī diànyuán jīling, xiǎotōu méi néng pǎodiào.

Thanks to the clerk's quick wits, the thief couldn't get away.

多亏有了他，我们才能在这里。

Duōkuī yǒule tā, wǒmen cái néng zài zhèlǐ.

We're here thanks to him.

多吃蔬菜，孩子才能长得茁壮。

Duō chī shūcài, háizi cái néng zhǎng de zhuózhuàng.

Eat more vegetables, and the child will grow up healthy and strong.

多吃蔬菜能补充膳食纤维。

Duō chī shūcài néng bǔchōng shànshíxiānwéi.

Eating more vegetables can help you get more dietary fiber.

多听英语歌能提高听力。

Duō tīng Yīngyǔ gē néng tígāo tīnglì.

Listening to more English songs can improve your listening ability.

多喝水也能美容，你知道吗？

Duō hēshuǐ yě néng měiróng, nǐ zhīdào ma?

Drinking more water can also help beautify you. Did you know?

多喝水能抵消咸菜的坏处吗？

Duō hēshuǐ néng dǐxiāo xiáncài de huàichu ma?

Can drinking more water counteract the harm of pickled vegetables?

多年的恩情，怎么能说断就断呢？

Duōnián de ēnqíng, zěnme néng shuō duàn jiù duàn ne?

How can years of affection be cut off just like that?

多旅行能增加我们的阅历。

Duō lǚxíng néng zēngjiā wǒmen de yuèlì.

Traveling more can broaden our experience.

多聊天能减少代沟。

Duō liáotiān néng jiǎnshǎo dàigōu.

Chatting more can reduce the generation gap.

多读书能培养语感。

Duō dúshū néng péiyǎng yǔgǎn.

Reading more helps you develop a feel for the language.

多读书能增加你的词汇。

Duō dúshū néng zēngjiā nǐ de cíhuì.

Reading more can build up your vocabulary.

多读书能增加你的通识。

Duō dúshū néng zēngjiā nǐ de tōngshí.

Reading more can broaden your general knowledge.

多读书能增长见识。

Duō dúshū néng zēngzhǎng jiànshi.

Reading more books broadens your knowledge.

多读书能扩大你的知识面。

Duō dúshū néng kuòdà nǐ de zhīshimiàn.

Reading more can broaden your range of knowledge.

多读书能提高孩子的艺术素养。

Duō dúshū néng tígāo háizi de yìshù sùyǎng.

Reading more can improve a child's artistic accomplishment.

多读书能给你打下坚实的基础。

Duō dúshū néng gěi nǐ dǎxià jiānshí de jīchǔ.

Reading more will give you a solid foundation.

多运动才能抵抗疾病。

Duō yùndòng cái néng dǐkàng jíbìng.

You have to exercise more to fight off illness.

多运动才能让血脉畅通。

Duō yùndòng cái néng ràng xuèmài chàngtōng.

You have to exercise more to keep your blood vessels clear.

多运动能促进气血循环。

Duō yùndòng néng cùjìn qìxuè xúnhuán.

Exercising more promotes the circulation of qi and blood.

多问老师，就能少走弯路。

Duō wèn lǎoshī, jiù néng shǎo zǒuwānlù.

If you ask your teacher more, you'll avoid wasting time on wrong approaches.

夜空中能看到很多星座。

Yèkōng zhōng néng kàndào hěn duō xīngzuò.

You can see many constellations in the night sky.

夜里在山上能看见银河。

Yèli zài shānshàng néng kànjiàn yínhé.

At night you can see the Milky Way from the mountains.

夜里能看见银河系吗？

Yèli néng kànjiàn yínhéxì ma?

Can you see the Milky Way at night?

大家同心协力，就能做好。

Dàjiā tóngxīnxiélì, jiù néng zuò hǎo.

If everyone works together with one purpose, we can get it done well.

大家心齐，泰山能移

dàjiā xīn qí, Tài Shān néng yí

if everyone is of one mind, Mount Tai can be moved

大能容小，天能盖地

dà néng róng xiǎo, tiān néng gài dì

the big can hold the small; the sky can cover the earth

太阳能能解决能源危机吗？

Tàiyángnéng néng jiějué néngyuánwēijī ma?

Can solar power solve the energy crisis?

头上戴袜子，能出脚来了

tóushàng dài wàzi, néng chū jiǎo láile

wearing a sock on the head: a foot sticks out

她为他做了所有她能做的事。

Tā wèi tā zuòle suǒyǒu tā néng zuò de shì.

She did everything she could for him.

她勉强能自己煮晚餐吃。

Tā miǎnqiǎng néng zìjǐ zhǔ wǎncān chī.

She was able to cook herself dinner, after a fashion.

她是一名无人能敌的歌手。

Tā shì yì míng wúrén néng dí de gēshǒu.

She is a singer without equal.

她每个学期都能拿到助学金。

Tā měige xuéqī dōu néng nádào zhùxuéjīn.

She receives a student grant every semester.

她没能说服他为她写首歌。

Tā méi néng shuōfú tā wèi tā xiě shǒu gē.

She couldn't convince him to write a song for her.

她能和她哥哥游得一样快。

Tā néng hé tā gēge yóu de yíyàng kuài.

She can swim as fast as her brother.

她能喝很多啤酒。

Tā néng hē hěn duō píjiǔ.

She can drink a lot of beer.

她能忍受长途旅行吗？

Tā néng rěnshòu chángtú lǚxíng ma?

Can she endure a long trip?

她能游得比我远。

Tā néng yóu de bǐ wǒ yuǎn.

She can swim further than I can.

她能说一口流利的西班牙语。

Tā néng shuō yìkǒu liúlì de Xībānyáyǔ.

She can speak Spanish well.

她能说流利的英语。

Tā néng shuō liúlì de Yīngyǔ.

She can speak English very well.

她能说流利的英语和法语。

Tā néng shuō liúlì de Yīngyǔ hé Fǎyǔ.

She is fluent in English and French.

她说阅读能让人平静。

Tā shuō yuèdú néng ràng rén píngjìng.

She said reading can calm a person.

她随时能再来。

Tā suíshí néng zài lái.

She can come along again anytime.

好吃的蛋糕，谁能抗拒？

Hǎochī de dàngāo, shéi néng kàngjù?

Who could resist a delicious cake?

好天气能持续到明天吗？

Hǎo tiānqì néng chíxù dào míngtiān ma?

Will the fine weather keep up till tomorrow?

好好努力，你就能通过考试。

Hǎohǎo nǔlì, nǐ jiù néng tōngguò kǎoshì.

Work hard, and you will pass the examination.

好的感情才能持久。

Hǎo de gǎnqíng cái néng chíjiǔ.

Only a good relationship can last long.

好的音乐能激发人的想象力。

Hǎo de yīnyuè néng jīfā rén de xiǎngxiànglì.

Good music can stimulate people's imagination.

如果你快一点，还能赶上他。

Rúguǒ nǐ kuài yìdiǎn, hái néng gǎnshàng tā.

If you hurry, you will catch up with him.

如果你抓紧，你还能赶上火车。

Rúguǒ nǐ zhuājǐn, nǐ hái néng gǎnshàng huǒchē.

If you hurry you can still make the train.

如果你能就来吧。

Rúguǒ nǐ néng jiù lái ba.

Come if you can.

如果你能当心些那就更好了。

Rúguǒ nǐ néng dāngxīn xiē nà jiù gèng hǎole.

If you could be a bit more careful, that would be even better.

如果你能来，我会很高兴。

Rúguǒ nǐ néng lái, wǒ huì hěn gāoxìng.

If you can come, I will be very happy.

如果你能隐形，你最想去哪里？

Rúguǒ nǐ néng yǐnxíng, nǐ zuì xiǎng qù nǎlǐ?

If you could become invisible, where would you most want to go?

如果成绩大于八十分，就能得奖。

Rúguǒ chéngjì dàyú bā shífēn, jiù néng déjiǎng.

If your score is above eighty, you can win a prize.

如果我们想，我们就能变。

Rúguǒ wǒmen xiǎng, wǒmen jiù néng biàn.

We can change if we want to.

如果我够钱的话，就能出国了。

Rúguǒ wǒ gòu qián dehuà, jiù néng chūguóle.

If I had enough money, I could go abroad.

妈妈，我能去游泳吗？

Māma, wǒ néng qù yóuyǒng ma?

Mom, can I go swimming?

嫌疑人最多能被拘留多久？

Xiányírén zuì duō néng bèi jūliú duōjiǔ?

How long can a suspect be detained at most?

学会形声字能帮你猜读音。

Xuéhuì xíngshēngzì néng bāng nǐ cāi dúyīn.

Learning phono-semantic characters can help you guess pronunciations.

学游泳不难，几天就能入门。

Xué yóuyǒng bù nán, jǐtiān jiù néng rùmén.

Learning to swim isn't hard, and you can get the basics in a few days.

学问无大小，能者为尊

xuéwèn wú dàxiǎo, néngzhě wéi zūn

learning has no big or small; the able are respected