Ability, Power, Energy

能

Power

Pronunciation: neng ( Putonghua, 2nd tone ),
nang ( Cantonese 4th tone ).

meaning: ability, power, energy.

The noun 能 means power / energy:
太陽能 ( tai yang neng ) sun energy = solar energy.
熱能 ( ri neng ) heat energy.
原子能 ( yuan zi neng) yuan zi 原子 = atom is atomic energy.
能力 ( neng li ) ability strength means ability / power.

The verb means" can" / "permitted",
鳥能飛 (niao neng fei ) = birds can fly.
不能進去 ( bu neng jin qu ) no permitted enter = entrance forbidden.
能 幹 ( neng gan ) can do/work = describes somebody who is capable and competent.

交際能力 ( jiao ji neng li ) jiao ji = socialize is ability to mix with people.
性無能 ( xing wu neng ) xing 性 = sex, wu 無 = having none is sexual impotence.

By: Raymond Mok 莫坤雄