Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 不能 | bù néng |
| 不會 / 不会 | bù huì |
| 不要 | bù yào |
| 不行 | bù xíng |
The various forms of "cannot" in Chinese are used to distinguish between a lack of skill, a lack of ability or permission and the inability to complete an action.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 不能 is composed of 不 (not) and 能 (can/be able to).
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on why the action is impossible. Use 不會 / 不会 to express that someone cannot do something because they have not learned the skill or do not know how to do it. Use 不能 to express that someone cannot do something due to physical inability, lack of permission or external circumstances. Use 不行 to express that a suggestion or a situation is "not okay" or "not allowed", often used as a standalone response to a proposal. Use the suffix …不了 as a potential complement used after a verb to indicate that an action cannot be completed due to certain circumstances.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term 唔可以 means "cannot".
How do you pronounce it?
bù néng
Did you know?
- In modern internet slang, using 不能 in specific grammatical structures is actually a mimicry of Japanese syntax rather than standard Chinese.
- Using 不會 to say 'cannot' can also mean that something is 'not likely' to happen in the future.
- The phrase 不要 can mean 'cannot' in the sense of 'must not', but it is also the standard way to say 'I do not want' something.
Examples in context
- 这水不能喝。This water cannot be drunk.This sentence shows how to use 不能 to describe something that cannot be drunk.Tatoeba #5550167 by verdastelo9604, translation #7768810 by sharris123
- 我不能做這個。I cannot do this.This sentence uses 不能 to express a personal inability to do something.Tatoeba #5524949 by xjjAstrus, translation #5573312 by n1ls
- 湯姆不能開車。Tom cannot drive.This sentence uses 不能 to show that someone lacks the ability to perform an action.Tatoeba #6673100 by verdastelo9604, translation #1548370 by CK
- 我很抱歉，这个要求 不可以 实现。I'm sorry, this request cannot be fulfilled.
- 请遵守规定，你 不能 在图书馆吃东西。Please follow the rules, you cannot eat in the library.
- 今天太累了，我 不能 参加聚会。I'm too tired today, I cannot attend the gathering.
- 我爸爸 不准 我晚上出去。My dad doesn't allow me to go out at night.
- 60 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Junjie and Jiayi are discussing a plan to go out.
- 俊杰 Junjie我们现在能出发吗？Wǒmen xiànzài néng chūfā ma?Can we leave now?
- 佳怡 Jiayi对不起，我现在不能走。Duìbùqǐ, wǒ xiànzài bùnéng zǒu.Sorry, I cannot leave right now.
- 俊杰 Junjie为什么不能走？Wèishéme bùnéng zǒu?Why can't you leave?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我还在工作。Wǒ hái zài gōngzuò.I am still working.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cannot” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 不能, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
