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How to Say ‘Can you; could you’ in Simplified Chinese

能不能

néng bù néng

[nung boo nung]

💬 Usage Tip: [能不能...] is a common way to make a request more politely, like "could you...?" You can follow it with many actions: [能不能开近一点?] [能不能等一下?]

Phrase Breakdown

能不能

néng bù néng

[nung boo nung]

can or not; would it be possible to

A polite way to ask if something is possible, often softer than a direct command.

Example

师傅,能不能到小区门口停一下?

Driver, would it be possible to stop at the entrance of the residential compound for a moment?

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