nang4 gau3能夠能够
Jyutpingnang4 gau3
Yalenàhng gau
Definition
To be able to; can; could.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Sounds significantly more formal or literary than the everyday spoken alternatives like 可以 or 識得. It is frequently used in written contexts, news reports, or when emphasizing the actual capacity or capability to perform an action rather than just having permission. In casual conversation, native speakers almost always prefer using 可以 instead.
Examples
Can you come back earlier tomorrow to help out?
I tried my best but still couldn't solve this problem.
Related words
Common mistake
Using 能夠 in casual, everyday speech often makes you sound like you are reading from a textbook or giving a formal presentation. Stick to 可以 for general ability or permission to avoid sounding stiff.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
