1. Meaning and Usage
"能不能..." (néng bù néng) is a very common structure in Mandarin Chinese used to form a yes/no question inquiring about ability, possibility, or permission. It literally translates to "can or cannot...?" or "able or unable to...?" It functions as an A-not-A question, where 能 (néng) means "can" or "be able to," and 不 (bù) means "not."
2. Formulas and Examples
Case 1: Asking About Ability (physical or learned skill)
This usage inquires whether someone possesses the capacity or skill to perform an action.
$$Subject + 能不能 + Verb + (Object)?$$
你能不能抬这个箱子？ Nǐ néng bù néng tái zhège xiāngzi? Can you lift this box?
他能不能说汉语？ Tā néng bù néng shuō Hànyǔ? Can he speak Chinese?
Case 2: Asking About Possibility or Feasibility (objective conditions)
This usage inquires whether an action or event is objectively possible or feasible given the circumstances.
$$Subject + 能不能 + Verb + (Object)?$$
我们明天能不能见面？ Wǒmen míngtiān néng bù néng jiànmiàn? Can we meet tomorrow?
这个问题能不能解决？ Zhège wèntí néng bù néng jiějué? Can this problem be solved?
Case 3: Asking for Permission
This usage inquires whether one is allowed to do something. When asking for permission, the subject is often "我" (wǒ, I) or "我们" (wǒmen, we).
$$Subject + 能不能 + Verb + (Object)?$$
我能不能坐这里？ Wǒ néng bù néng zuò zhèlǐ? Can I sit here?
我能不能问你一个问题？ Wǒ néng bù néng wèn nǐ yīgè wèntí? Can I ask you a question?
3. Essential HSK Tips & Common Mistakes
No "吗" (ma) needed: Since "能不能..." is an A-not-A question, it already expresses the interrogative mood. Adding "吗" at the end is redundant and incorrect.
你能不能去吗？ (Incorrect) Nǐ néng bù néng qù ma? Can you go? (Incorrect)
你能不能去？ (Correct) Nǐ néng bù néng qù? Can you go? (Correct)
Responding to "能不能...": To answer affirmatively, you can simply say "能" (néng) or repeat the verb (e.g., "能去," néng qù). To answer negatively, say "不能" (bù néng). Sometimes, "可以" (kěyǐ, can/may) is used for permission in affirmative answers, or "不可以" (bù kěyǐ) for negative.
你能不能来我家？ Nǐ néng bù néng lái wǒ jiā? Can you come to my house?
能。 (Affirmative) Néng. Yes, I can.
不能。 (Negative) Bù néng. No, I cannot.
Distinction from "会不会..." (huì bu huì...): While both "能不能..." and "会不会..." ask "can or cannot," they have different nuances. "能不能" focuses on objective possibility, ability (physical/current), or permission. "会不会" often refers to a learned skill (e.g., 会游泳 - can swim, having learned it) or future likelihood/prediction.
他能不能游泳？ (Focuses on whether he's currently able to swim, e.g., injured, or if the water is suitable) Tā néng bù néng yóuyǒng? Can he swim?
他会不会游泳？ (Focuses on whether he knows how to swim as a skill) Tā huì bù huì yóuyǒng? Does he know how to swim?
No Adverbs of Degree: Do not use adverbs like "很" (hěn, very) or "非常" (fēicháng, extremely) directly before "能不能...", as 能 is a modal verb, not an adjective.