Expressing Capacity in Vietnamese || Can, Be Able etc

Q: What is the difference between "có thể" and "có khả năng"?

" Có thể " usually expresses the possibility or permission to do something, while " có khả năng " emphasizes ability or capacity , often in a more formal or evaluative context.

Q: When should I use "giỏi" instead of "biết"?

Use " giỏi " when you want to say someone is skilled or good at something. Use " biết " simply to indicate that someone knows how to do something.

Q: How do I make negative statements using these expressions?

You can add " không " in front of the expression. For example: "Tôi không biết nấu ăn." (I don’t know how to cook.) "Anh ấy không giỏi tiếng Anh." (He’s not good at English.)

Q: Are these expressions commonly used in daily conversation?

Yes, especially " có thể ", " biết ", and " giỏi " are very commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. " Có khả năng " is more formal but still useful in written or professional Vietnamese.

Q: Can I study in Vietnam with LTL?

Yes, you can! You can study with us in Saigon or Hanoi, in both group or individual classes. You’ll even have the opportunity to live with a Vietnamese family, thanks to our homestays .

Home A1 Expressing capacity in Vietnamese

CAN, BE ABLE TO, BE CAPABLE ETC

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to express ability or capacity in Vietnamese using common phrases like có thể, biết, giỏi, and có khả năng.

These structures allow you to talk about what someone can do, knows how to do, or is skilled at, in both casual and formal contexts.

CÓ THỂ… = CAN

“Có thể” means “can” or “be able to” and is used to indicate the ability to perform an action.

PATTERN

Có thể + Verb

For example:

Tôi có thể nói tiếng Việt	I can speak Vietnamese
Cô ấy có thể bơi	She can swim very well

View More Examples

Anh ấy có thể chơi đàn piano	He can play the piano.
Chúng ta có thể đi công viên vào ngày mai.	We can go to the park tomorrow
Họ có thể hoàn thành dự án vào thứ Sáu	They can finish the project by Friday
Tôi có thể giúp bạn với bài tập về nhà.	I can help you with your homework

BIẾT = CAN / KNOW HOW TO

“Biết” means “know how to/can” and is used to express knowledge or ability to perform an action in a basic way (not really skillful)

PATTERN

Biết + Verb

For example:

Tôi biết nói tiếng Việt	I can speak Vietnamese
Cô ấy biết bơi	She can swim very well

View More Examples

Anh ấy biết chơi đàn piano	He can play the piano.
Chúng ta biết chạy xe máy	We can ride scooter
Họ biết đếm	They can count
Tôi biết nấu ăn	I can cook

GIỎI = BE GOOD AT

“Giỏi” means “good at” and is used to express proficiency in performing an action.

PATTERN

Giỏi + verb

For example:

Tôi giỏi nói tiếng Việt	I ‘m good at speaking Vietnamese
Cô ấy giỏi bơi	She is good at swimming

View More Examples

Anh ấy giỏi chơi đàn piano	He is good at playing the piano.
Chúng ta giỏi chạy xe máy	We are good at riding scooter
Họ giỏi đếm	They are good at counting
Tôi giỏi nấu ăn	I am good at cooking

CÓ KHẢ NĂNG = BE CAPABLE OF…

This phrase is used to express potential or capability in performing an action.

PATTERN

Có khả năng + Verb

For example:

Tôi có khả năng nói tiếng Việt	I can speak Vietnamese
Cô ấy có khả năng bơi	She can swim very well

View More Examples

Anh ấy có khả năng chơi đàn piano	He can play the piano.
Chúng ta có khả năng chạy xe máy	We can ride scooter
Họ có khả năng đếm	They can count
Tôi có khả năng nấu ăn	I can cook

Learn Vietnamese with FlexiClasses

Book online classes with the best teachers in the industry.

FAQs

What is the difference between “có thể” and “có khả năng”?

“Có thể” usually expresses the possibility or permission to do something, while “có khả năng” emphasizes ability or capacity, often in a more formal or evaluative context.

When should I use “giỏi” instead of “biết”?

Use “giỏi” when you want to say someone is skilled or good at something. Use “biết” simply to indicate that someone knows how to do something.

Can these words be used interchangeably?

Not always.

While they all relate to capacity or ability, they differ in tone, formality, and specific meaning.

For example, “giỏi” is often used to praise, whereas “biết” is neutral and factual.

How do I make negative statements using these expressions?

You can add “không” in front of the expression. For example:

“Tôi không biết nấu ăn.” (I don’t know how to cook.)

“Anh ấy không giỏi tiếng Anh.” (He’s not good at English.)

Are these expressions commonly used in daily conversation?

Yes, especially “có thể“, “biết“, and “giỏi” are very commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.

“Có khả năng” is more formal but still useful in written or professional Vietnamese.

Can I study in Vietnam with LTL?

Yes, you can!

You can study with us in Saigon or Hanoi, in both group or individual classes.

You’ll even have the opportunity to live with a Vietnamese family, thanks to our homestays.

CÓ THỂ… = CAN

PATTERN

BIẾT = CAN / KNOW HOW TO

PATTERN

GIỎI = BE GOOD AT

PATTERN

CÓ KHẢ NĂNG = BE CAPABLE OF…

PATTERN

Learn Vietnamese with FlexiClasses

FAQs

MORE FREE LESSONS

Basic sentence structure

Present tense in Vietnamese

Past simple tense in Vietnamese

Future tense in Vietnamese

Continuous tense in Vietnamese

How to use pronouns in Vietnamese

Plurals in Vietnamese

Negative sentences in Vietnamese

Using adjectives in Vietnamese

Using adverbs in Vietnamese

Prepositions in Vietnamese

Asking questions in Vietnamese

Numbers in Vietnamese

Vietnamese counters

Writing dates in Vietnamese

Telling time in Vietnamese

Expressing "because" in Vietnamese

Expressing "but" in Vietnamese

Expressing "and" in Vietnamese

"Should" & "shouldn't" in Vietnamese

Expressing similarities in Vietnamese

Making requests in Vietnamese

Expressing "as soon as" in Vietnamese

Expressing "not yet" in Vietnamese

Expressing desire in Vietnamese

How to say "very" in Vietnamese

Giving directions in Vietnamese

Expressing capacity in Vietnamese