auxiliary verb / verb / noun HSK 1
Traditional 會
can (learned ability) · will (future) · to meet · meeting · to know how to
Meaning
会 is one of the most fundamental and versatile words in Mandarin. As an auxiliary verb, it expresses learned ability (I can swim) or likelihood/future events (it will rain). As a regular verb, it means to meet or to gather. As a noun, it refers to a meeting or association.
Usage
When expressing ability, 会 specifically means learned skills (会说中文 - can speak Chinese) as opposed to 能 which indicates general ability or permission. For future events, 会 suggests likelihood or prediction. Very common in everyday speech across all registers.
Examples
- 01我会说中文。.I can speak Chinese.
- 02明天会下雨吗？?Will it rain tomorrow?
Measure words
- 次开一次会
- 场一场会
Common collocations
- 会说can speak
- 会做can do/make
- 开会to hold a meeting
- 会议meeting, conference
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 會 shows people gathering under a lid or cover, representing the idea of meeting or assembly. This core meaning extended to suggest understanding and ability.