HSK 3

能愿动词:敢

néng yuàn dòng cí : gǎn

Modal verb: 敢 (to dare)

Explanation

敢 (gǎn) means "to dare", and it is a modal verb (a modal verb such as 会 huì, 能 néng, 想 xiǎng... placed before the main verb to modify it). It expresses that the speaker has enough courage or boldness to do something.

Structure

Subject (the doer, at the start of the sentence) + 敢 (gǎn) + verb. Negative: Subject + 不敢 (bù gǎn) + verb. Question: ...敢...吗?(gǎn...ma).

When to use

when asking whether someone dares to do something dangerous or difficult (你敢...吗? nǐ gǎn...ma - Do you dare to...?), or when expressing that you are afraid and do not dare to do it (我不敢... wǒ bù gǎn - I don't dare to...).

Common mistakes

Vietnamese learners often place 敢 after the main verb. This is wrong; 敢 always comes BEFORE the verb. Also do not add 是 (shì) or 很 (hěn) before 敢.

Examples

这儿有两米高,你敢跳下去吗?
zhèryǒuliǎnggāogǎntiàoxiàma

This place is two meters high; do you dare to jump down?

我不敢在河里游泳。
gǎnzàiyóuyǒng

I don't dare to swim in the river.

Practice

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Learn “能愿动词:敢” effectively

The grammar point “能愿动词:敢” (Modal verb: 敢 (to dare)) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.

Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.

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