Mandarin has three ways to express the concept “can” or “may.” Like English, the distinction is hazy at times, and nobody sticks closely to any arbitrary rules.
Use 能 to express the ability to do something.
| 我明天能去重庆 |
| I can go to Chongqing tomorrow. |
Use 会 to express the ability to use a learned skill.
| 我会说中文. |
| I can speak Chinese (Traditional). |
| 我们都会弹吉他 |
| We can all play the guitar. |
Use 可以 to express being allowed to do something.
| 你可以叫我汤姆 |
| You can call me Tom. |
| 我可不可以用你的手机? |
| Can I use your mobile phone? |
In this last example, we used the verb-not-verb structure for asking questions. As 可以 is two syllables, we just repeat the first: 可不可以.
