"Hope we can see each other soon."
Translation:希望我们很快可以再见。
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1717
I can answer you briefly about this. Similar to English the concept about possibility and ability, and sometimes requests, is not entirely isolated. If we ask "Can you do this?” it can be interpreted as whether the listener is able to do it, or whether the listener will do it. There are also several ways in Chinese to express such related concept. 可以 by its radical meaning is about a possibility - whether it is possible that we see each other; 能 is more about an inherent capacity or ability acquired through training - whether we are able to see each other. In this sentence these 2 words can be used interchangeably.
In some other sentences they cannot. However, it's going to need a lot of pages to iterate all the possible variations. If you have a particular sentence that puzzles you, I can point out which words are acceptable.
It's not very comprehensive, but I hope it helps.
1717
I would break down the syntax like this:
希望 (I) hope (that)
= Main clause
--> 我们 We
= Subject of sub-clause
-->> 可以 + 很快 --> 再见 can + quickly --> see each other again
= adverbial phrases and the verb of sub-clause
The term "adverbial phrases" may not be very well used, but anyway those are phrases that elaborate on the verb. Time can also be used like this.
1629
In this sentence, 很快 is its own adverb meaning "quickly" so it goes before the verb. It is not being used as a construction of "noun + 很 + adjective" or "verb + 得 + 很 + adjective."
Other adverbs like 很大 and 很少 could be used in a similar way.
我们很少见面 - We see each other very little.
That’s a great video, thanks!
Summary for those who can’t view it:
能 = to be able to (think possible/impossible) ETA: Inate ability
可以 = to be allowed to (a rule is involved. Could someone/circumstances tell you that you can’t do x?)
会 = (a learned skill, something you have to practise to be able to do) or (something that’s very probable or likely to happen) ETA statistics/probability
But you really should see the video, it’s great for getting into the nuances of usage.
I love the fact that they have a mandarin speaker naturally explaining things and then the English speaker rehashes it (makes it excellent practise for all levels of learning). Don’t worry if you don’t get everything that’s said, they go over everything multiple times and give multiple examples.
Thanks @JanZeze !
1717
It is also OK if you use 很快见面. Often Mandarin Chinese calls for 2-character words. Using 1-character word is less often, even though the 2-character word looks redundant.
181
Hi, My answer was 希望我们快可以见面 and it was not accepted. Could someone explain what is wrong in my answer please. Thank you.