Some Similar Mandarin Words
This year I’m trying to start learning Mandarin Chinese. Here are some confusingly similar words I’ve come across.
认识 and 知道
The difference is between knowing a person, 认识 (rènshí) and knowing a fact, 知道 (zhīdào).
| 你认识她妈? | 你知道我很酷吗？ |
| nǐ rènshí tā mā | nǐ zhīdào wǒ hěn kù mā |
| Do you know her? | Do you know I'm cool? |
正在 and 现在
Both roughly mean “now” but 正在 (zhèngzài) means currently or in general and 现在 (xiànzài) means literally right at this moment.
| 我正在学习中文 | 我现在吃饭 |
| wǒ zhèngzài xuéxí zhōngwén | wǒ xiànzài chīfàn |
| I'm learning Chinese. | I'm eating (now). |
可以 and 可能
可以 (kěyǐ) is used when you’re willing and able to do something. 可能 (kěnéng) is if there’s a possibility of something happening.
| 我今晚可以看电影 | 我可能会去看电影 |
| wǒ jīnwǎn kěyǐ kàn diànyǐng | wǒ kěnéng huì qù kàn diànyǐng |
| I can see a movie tonight. | I might go see a movie. |
Thanks to Elva for lending her Mandarin expertise.