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能力néng lìcapability; ability

HSK 4word

By Chinese Copilot · Last updated

能力 (néng lì) means "capability" or "ability." 他有学习汉语的能力 says he is able to study Chinese. 我没有这个能力 says I do not have this ability. 你有能力做这个工作吗 asks if you are able to do this job. 她的工作能力很强 says her ability at work is strong. Each example uses that same meaning.

What does 能力 mean?

  1. 1.

    capability; abilitynoun

What do the characters in 能力 mean?

  • 能ability
  • 力power; strength; ability

How do you use 能力?

能力 can follow 有 or 没有, as in 有能力做, and 个 can count it.

Patterns

  • 有 + 能力

    他有学习汉语的能力。

    Tā yǒu xuéxí Hànyǔ de nénglì.

    He is able to study Chinese.

  • 没有 + 能力

    我没有这个能力。

    Wǒ méiyǒu zhège nénglì.

    I do not have this ability.

  • 有能力 + Verb

    你有能力做这个工作吗?

    Nǐ yǒu nénglì zuò zhège gōngzuò ma?

    Are you able to do this job?

What are some examples of 能力 in a sentence?

  1. 他有学习汉语的能力。

    Tā yǒu xuéxí Hànyǔ de nénglì.

    He is able to study Chinese.

  2. 我没有这个能力。

    Wǒ méiyǒu zhège nénglì.

    I do not have this ability.

  3. 你有能力做这个工作吗?

    Nǐ yǒu nénglì zuò zhège gōngzuò ma?

    Are you able to do this job?

  4. 她的工作能力很强。

    Tā de gōngzuò nénglì hěn qiáng.

    Her ability at work is strong.

How is 能力 used in a conversation?

  1. Speaker A:

    有一个工作。我能做吗?

    Yǒu yí gè gōngzuò. Wǒ néng zuò ma?

    There is a job. Can I do it?

  2. Speaker B:

    你有能力做这个工作。

    Nǐ yǒu nénglì zuò zhège gōngzuò.

    You are able to do this job.

  3. Speaker A:

    真的吗?

    Zhēn de ma?

    Really?

  4. Speaker B:

    真的。这个工作给你。

    Zhēn de. Zhège gōngzuò gěi nǐ.

    Really. This job is for you.

Can you use 能力 correctly?

0 of 3 answered
  1. 1.Fill in the blank: 我没有这个___。(I do not have this ability.)
  2. 2.Which sentence means "Her ability at work is strong"?
  3. 3.Fill in the blank: 你有___做这个工作吗?(Are you able to do this job?)

What should you learn next?

English glosses on this page are adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG (snapshot 2026-10-23), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Glosses were edited for learners.