What does 会 mean in Chinese?

会 (huì) means "can; to be possible; to be able to; will; to be likely to; to be sure to; to assemble; to meet; to gather; to see; union; group; association; a moment (Taiwan pr. for this sense is [hui3])" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 会?

会 is pronounced "huì" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 会?

会 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 会?

Common words with 会 include 一会儿 (a moment), 一会 (a moment), 不会 (improbable), 三合会 (triad, Chinese crime gang), 不一会 (soon).

How do you write 会?

会 has 6 strokes. Its radical is 人. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

会 (huì), can

会

huì

can; to be possible; to be able to; will

HSK 1verbclassifier6 strokes

Traditional: 會

Character Breakdown

会 = 人 + 云

People gather under clouds — a meeting of ability

Radical: 人 (no. 9)Strokes: 6Traditional: 會

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb, classifier) can
to be possible
to be able to
will
to be likely to
to be sure to
to assemble
to meet
to gather
to see
union
group
association
a moment (Taiwan pr. for this sense is [hui3])

Classifier: 个 (gè)

Example Sentences

我会说中文。

Wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén

I can speak Chinese

Words Containing 会

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
一会儿	yī huì r	a moment	HSK 2
一会	yī huì	a moment
不会	bù huì	improbable
三合会	sān hé huì	triad, Chinese crime gang
不一会	bù yī huì

Related Words

可以(kě yǐ)· can

→

保不定(bǎo bù dìng)· more likely than not

→

保不齐(bǎo bu qí)· more likely than not

→

有边儿(yǒu biān r)· to be likely or possible

→

Grammar Notes

Expressing "Want" with 想HSK 1

Subject + 想 + Verb + Object

Ability with 会HSK 1

Subject + 会 + Verb + Object

Although (虽然...但是)HSK 2

虽然 + Concession, 但是/可是 + Contrast

就 and 才 (Then/Only then)HSK 2

Subject + (Time/Condition) + 就/才 + Verb

Can/May (能 vs 可以)HSK 2

Subject + 能/可以 + Verb + Object

Appears in these articles

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

会: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 会 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.