Chinese Grammar: What Are Auxiliary Verbs

Auxiliary verbs in Chinese work pretty much the same way as auxiliary verbs in English.

What is an auxiliary verb?

I'll explain by way of examples:

• learn to run
• know how to
• be happy to

In these examples, learn, know and be are auxiliary to the verb next to them.

In Mandarin Chinese, here are some very common auxiliaries:

能 and 能够, 能夠

néng and nénggòu

can

会, 會

huì

know how to

可以

kéyǐ

may

应该, 應該

yīnggāi

should

肯

kěn

be willing to

必须, 必須

bìxū

must

敢

gǎn

dare

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