How to say “ability” in Chinese
ability, talent
“Ability” in Chinese is 才能, cái néng: the meaning, a recording of how it sounds, the characters stroke by stroke and examples.
How to pronounce it
才能 is read cái néng: 2 syllables. The tone is part of the word: with another melody you get another word, or just a jumble of sounds.
How to write it
Strokes go in order: top to bottom and left to right, horizontal before vertical. Tap a character to open its page, with the strokes shown large and the words it appears in. To train your hand, print a handwriting sheet for “才能”.
Examples
Sentences from the course lessons with 才能. Tap the sound icon to listen.
- 只有医生同意，你才能出院。zhǐyǒuyīshēngtóngyì,nǐcáinéngchūyuànYou can leave the hospital only if the doctor agrees.
- 只有多练习才能说好zhǐyǒuduōliànxí,cáinéngshuōhǎoYou'll only speak well if you practice a lot.
- 这些汉字要反复练习才能记住zhèxiēHànzìyàofǎnfùliànxícáinéngjìzhùYou have to write these characters over and over — then you'll remember them.
- 你觉得怎么才能学好汉语？nǐjuédezěnmecáinéngxuéhǎoHànyǔHow do you think you can learn Chinese well?
More words from the lesson “Talent and ability”
Look up another word in the Chinese–English dictionary: in English, in pinyin or in characters.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “ability” in Chinese?
“Ability” in Chinese is 才能, pinyin cáinéng.
What does 才能 mean?
才能 (cáinéng) means “ability, talent”.
How do you write 才能?
才能 is 2 characters: 才 (cái) — only; talent; 能 (néng) — can, be able. The stroke order of each one is shown step by step on this page.
How do you pronounce 才能?
才能 is read cáinéng. Tones: cái — second tone, néng — second tone. The page has a native speaker recording.
“ability” in the lesson “Talent and ability”
This word is from the topic “Talent and mastery” of HSK 6. In the lesson you hear it in a dialogue, build a sentence with it and say it out loud. Start for free, no sign-up needed.
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