How to write 能 (néng, “can”)

能 (néng), an HSK 1 character, means “can”, “to be able to” and “might possibly”. It is a picture-like character. On its own it is an HSK 1 word; it also forms 可能 (“might”), 只能 (“can only”) and 能力 (“capability”). Japanese reads it nou, “ability”, as a JLPT N3 kanji.

Pinyin: néng
Strokes: 10
HSK: 1
Radical: ⺼ (“flesh”)

Stroke by stroke

As a left-right character it splits into 厶⺼, strokes 1–6; 匕匕, strokes 7–10, written the left part first.

top leftdown and left → rightwards
topdown and right
leftdownwards
leftrightwards → downwards
leftrightwards
bottom leftrightwards
top rightdownwards → down and left
topdown and right → rightwards
rightdownwards → down and left
centerdown and right → rightwards → upwards

Names of the strokes

Japanese and Chinese

The two models differ in shape, so our comparison does not claim an order; compare the numbered frames yourself (10 strokes in Japanese, 10 strokes in Chinese).

Japanese · KanjiVG · 10 strokes

Chinese · Make Me a Hanzi · 10 strokes

Where 能 comes from

A bear's head 厶, body ⺼, and claws 匕

Trace it

Follow the numbers. Tracing help

Pinyin and meaning

Pinyin	Meanings	Traditional	In words
néng second tone	can; to be able to; might possibly; ability; (physics) energy	—	可能只能能力能否

HSK 2025 syllabus: level 1
2021 standard: level 1
HSK 2.0: in a level 1 word
Words with it: 202 in CC-CEDICT

Words with 能

Word	Pinyin	Meaning
能	néng	can; to be able to HSK 1
可能	kěnéng	might (happen); possible HSK 2
只能	zhǐnéng	can only; obliged to do sth HSK 3
能力	nénglì	capability; ability HSK 4
能否	néngfǒu	whether one can; whether it is possible HSK 4
能够能夠	nénggòu	to be capable of; to be able to HSK 4
能干能幹	nénggàn	capable; competent HSK 5
功能	gōngnéng	function; capability HSK 5
技能	jìnéng	technical ability; skill HSK 5
智能	zhìnéng	intelligent; able HSK 5

HSK words first (CC-CEDICT).

Practice sheet

Print at 100%. Several characters: worksheet maker.

Keep going

HSK 1, in list order: