"He can speak many languages."

Translation: 他能说很多种语言。

[Jurriaanh]

I feel like it should be 会, not 能.

[Gabrielle145359]

I was taught to use 会 for ability to do a learned skill, including speaking languages.
I was taught that 能 is for literal ability, so using 能 for a language would mean being physically capable of voicing the sounds required to speak the language.
Can someone else chime in on this?

[RowanCampb4]

its more like, 会 means i can because i possess the skill to, 能 means its possible for me to do it and 可以 means i can do it becasue i have permission

[Debonnaire]

Yeah, but that's just not what people use before 說 ， 會說

[PeaceJoyPancakes]

What's not?

[DarrenHali]

Ya quite true

[JenniferBo459845]

I agree. I have been taught 会for a learned skill.

[DangoHsu]

I'm a native speaker and I hardly use 能 in this context.
I literally frowned when I saw the components I could choose from.

[hugo565587]

yes, you could use 会(hui4) instead or omit it entirely, but neng2 能 is also correct. By omitting I mean that 他说很多种语言 would also be correct.

[Keith_APP]

能 can also used. Another choice is 得.

[BZH1423]

I feel like 懂得 couldn't be used. 懂得 is a verb which means "understand" or"know," but I don't think you could say 他懂得说很多语言. Maybe you could say 他懂得怎么说很多语言. Anyone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[Alison920660]

Yeah I'm getting really confused by the use of 能，可以 and 會 in this course. I agree with you and would use 會 when talking about being able to do something like speak languages. I'm interested to hear what other users think.

[TheoLiang]

In this case, both are fine

[pumipom]

I agree with you.

[AsirAjmal]

You are right.

[MatthieuHuang]

Yes

[PeaceJoyPancakes]

Is "种" necessary?

[Keith_APP]

It's not.

[BoluoJan]

It should be used

[CinnamonTe1]

Why do you feel that a measure word should be used with 很多 ？

他有很多猫 = He has many cats ( no 只 is used )

Is 种语言 a special case or do you think measure words should always be used?

[chaered]

Why is the "hen" required here?

[Raven480445]

It's 会 people. Never heard anyone say 能 in this context.