Chapter 17

会

hui4 is an auxiliary verb. That means it can only be used in front of another verb.

Example:

我会说汉语。- I know how to speak Chinese.

The negative form is formed by adding 不 before 会. One can ask by using the formula 会不会.

Example：

你会不会说法语？- Do you know how to speak French?

我不会说法语。 - I do not know how to speak French.

Remember:

会 is used to express someone has learned and gained the knowledge to do something. 会 refers to acquired skills. It does not, however, indicate that a prerequisite is given. In these situations, 能 is most often used.

Example:

我不舒服，不会去上课。 X

Instead：我不舒服， 我不能去上课。:smile:

对

dui4 is a preposition used to introduce the object of an action. Meaning it is used to introduce who something is happening to.

Example:

山本对我说：“田中会汉语” - Shanben says to me: “Tianzhong knows Chinese”

Additionally, 对 can be interpreted to mean “to face (someone)”. In this case, it is often used in conjunction with verbs like 说 (to say, shuo1) or 笑 (to laugh, xiao4)