会
Pattern
Subject + 会 + verb phrase
Key words
Core idea
会 has several beginner uses. It can mean a learned skill, as in knowing how to do something. It can also mark a likely or future event when the context points that way.
The word after 会 is usually a verb phrase.
Mini decision rule
If the sentence is about a person’s learned ability, read 会 as “know how to.” If the sentence is about what will probably happen, read it as likelihood or future possibility.
Context usually makes the intended meaning clear.
Examples
我会说一点中文。
Wǒ huì shuō yì diǎn Zhōngwén.
I can speak a little Chinese.
Here 会 means a learned skill.
明天会下雨。
Míngtiān huì xià yǔ.
It will probably rain tomorrow.
Here 会 points to likelihood or future possibility.
她不会开车。
Tā bú huì kāichē.
She cannot drive.
Common mistakes
Avoid
我会中文。
Use
我会说中文。
会 is followed by a verb phrase. To say you can use Chinese, include a verb such as 说.