bù néng: 不能 - Cannot, Must Not, To be Unable To

• Keywords: 不能, bu neng, Chinese cannot, difference between bu neng and bu hui, bu keyi vs bu neng, how to say cannot in Chinese, Chinese grammar, Mandarin negation, unable to in Chinese, expressing impossibility, prohibition in Chinese.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 不能 (bù néng), a fundamental modal verb meaning 'cannot', 'must not', or 'to be unable to'. This comprehensive guide breaks down the critical differences between 不能 (bù néng), 不会 (bú huì), and 不可以 (bù kěyǐ), explaining how to correctly express inability, impossibility, and prohibition in Mandarin. With practical examples and cultural insights, you'll master one of the most common and crucial concepts in Chinese grammar for everyday conversation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bù néng
• Part of Speech: Modal Verb / Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: Indicates a lack of ability, permission, or possibility to perform an action.
• In a Nutshell: 不能 (bù néng) is your go-to phrase for saying something “cannot” happen or is “not possible”. It's used when a situation, a physical limitation, a rule, or logic prevents an action. Think of it as a broad-purpose “cannot” that covers everything from “I am physically unable to lift this” to “We cannot go out because of the typhoon.”

• 不 (bù): The most common negative character in Mandarin, simply meaning “not” or “no”. It's a direct and universal negator.
• 能 (néng): This character means “can,” “to be able,” “ability,” or “energy.” It refers to an inherent or circumstantial capability to do something.

When combined, 不能 (bù néng) literally translates to “not able,” creating a direct negation of ability or possibility.

While a grammatical term, the use of 不能 (bù néng) is deeply tied to cultural norms of communication, particularly regarding refusal and face (面子, miànzi). In Western cultures, a direct “I can't” is common and often expected. In China, while 不能 (bù néng) can be used for a direct refusal, it's often softened to avoid causing the other person to lose face or to make the speaker seem unaccommodating. For instance, instead of a blunt “我不能帮你” (Wǒ bù néng bāng nǐ - I can't help you), a speaker might say “这个有点儿难办，我可能不能帮你” (Zhège yǒudiǎnr nán bàn, wǒ kěnéng bù néng bāng nǐ - This is a bit difficult, I might not be able to help you). This indirectness isn't about deception; it's about maintaining social harmony (和谐, héxié). Using 不能 (bù néng) to cite an external circumstance (“The rules say I cannot…”) is a common strategy to refuse a request without making it personal. It shifts the blame from a personal unwillingness to an objective, unchangeable reality.

不能 (bù néng) is extremely versatile and used constantly in daily life. Its meaning depends heavily on the context. 1. Expressing Lack of Physical or Inherent Ability: This is for things you are physically, mentally, or inherently unable to do at a particular moment.

• e.g., 我太累了，不能再走了。(Wǒ tài lèi le, bù néng zài zǒu le.) - I'm too tired, I can't walk anymore.
• e.g., 他生病了，今天不能来上班。(Tā shēngbìng le, jīntiān bù néng lái shàngbān.) - He's sick, he can't come to work today.

2. Indicating Impossibility Due to Circumstances: Used when the situation, environment, or logic prevents an action.

• e.g., 雨太大了，我们不能出门。(Yǔ tài dà le, wǒmen bù néng chūmén.) - The rain is too heavy, we can't go out.
• e.g., 一辆车不能同时往两个方向开。(Yī liàng chē bù néng tóngshí wǎng liǎng ge fāngxiàng kāi.) - A car cannot drive in two directions at the same time.

3. Denoting Prohibition or Lack of Permission: In this context, it's often interchangeable with 不可以 (bù kěyǐ), but can sound slightly more like stating a general rule than a direct personal command.

• e.g., 在图书馆里不能大声说话。(Zài túshūguǎn lǐ bù néng dàshēng shuōhuà.) - You cannot speak loudly in the library.
• e.g., 对不起，这里不能抽烟。(Duìbuqǐ, zhèlǐ bù néng chōuyān.) - Sorry, you can't smoke here.

• Example 1:
  • 我的腿受伤了，不能跑步。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de tuǐ shòushāng le, bù néng pǎobù.
  • English: My leg is injured, I can't run.
  • Analysis: This is a clear example of physical inability. The circumstance (injury) prevents the action (running).
• Example 2:
  • 因为有台风，明天的航班不能起飞。
  • Pinyin: Yīnwèi yǒu táifēng, míngtiān de hángbān bù néng qǐfēi.
  • English: Because there's a typhoon, tomorrow's flight cannot take off.
  • Analysis: This shows impossibility due to an external situation. It's not about the plane's ability, but the prohibitive weather conditions.
• Example 3:
  • 博物馆里不能拍照。
  • Pinyin: Bówùguǎn lǐ bù néng pāizhào.
  • English: You can't take pictures in the museum.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of prohibition. It's stating a rule that applies to everyone. Here, 不可以 (bù kěyǐ) would also be correct.
• Example 4:
  • 你不能期望每个人都同意你的看法。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bù néng qīwàng měi ge rén dōu tóngyì nǐ de kànfǎ.
  • English: You can't expect everyone to agree with your opinion.
  • Analysis: This is a figurative or logical use of 不能. It expresses an unreasonable expectation, something that is logically not possible.
• Example 5:
  • 这个问题太复杂了，我不能马上回答你。
  • Pinyin: Zhège wèntí tài fùzá le, wǒ bù néng mǎshàng huídá nǐ.
  • English: This question is too complicated, I can't answer you right away.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a temporary inability. The speaker isn't saying they are incapable of ever answering, just that they cannot do it at this moment due to the complexity.
• Example 6:
  • 医生说我不能吃太油腻的食物。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō wǒ bù néng chī tài yóunì de shíwù.
  • English: The doctor said I can't eat food that is too greasy.
  • Analysis: This shows prohibition based on expert advice or a specific condition (health). It's a restriction imposed on the person.
• Example 7:
  • 对不起，你的密码错了，所以不能登录。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, nǐ de mìmǎ cuò le, suǒyǐ bù néng dēnglù.
  • English: Sorry, your password is wrong, so you cannot log in.
  • Analysis: This is a clear cause-and-effect situation. The condition (wrong password) makes the action (logging in) impossible.
• Example 8:
  • 我们不能没有计划就开始这个项目。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bù néng méiyǒu jìhuà jiù kāishǐ zhège xiàngmù.
  • English: We can't start this project without a plan.
  • Analysis: This usage implies something is highly inadvisable or against common sense. It's not a strict rule, but a strong suggestion of impossibility for success.
• Example 9:
  • 为什么他可以去，我却不能去？
  • Pinyin: Wèishéme tā kěyǐ qù, wǒ què bù néng qù?
  • English: Why can he go, but I can't?
  • Analysis: This question form is very common for questioning a rule or a reason for being unable to do something. It directly challenges the basis of the prohibition or inability.
• Example 10:
  • 小孩子不能一个人在家。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎo háizi bù néng yī ge rén zài jiā.
  • English: A small child cannot be home alone.
  • Analysis: This expresses a general societal rule or safety principle. It's a prohibition based on common sense and care.

The biggest challenge for learners is distinguishing 不能 from its close cousins, 不会 (bú huì) and 不可以 (bù kěyǐ). 1. 不能 (bù néng) vs. 不会 (bú huì) This is the most common point of confusion.

• 不能 (bù néng): Lack of possibility, permission, or temporary ability. Think “cannot” due to a situation.
• 不会 (bú huì): Lack of a learned skill or knowledge. Think “don't know how to”. It can also mean “will not” in the future.
• Correct: 我喝了酒，不能开车。(Wǒ hē le jiǔ, bù néng kāichē.)
  • English: I drank alcohol, so I cannot drive. (Circumstance prevents it.)
• Correct: 我没学过，不会开车。(Wǒ méi xué guo, bú huì kāichē.)
  • English: I have never learned, so I don't know how to drive. (Lack of a skill.)
• Common Mistake: saying “我不会来参加派对，因为我很忙。” (Wǒ bú huì lái cānjiā pàiduì, yīnwèi wǒ hěn máng.)
  • Why it's wrong: This sounds like “I don't have the skill of coming to the party because I'm busy.” The correct way is: “我不能来参加派对，因为我很忙。” (Wǒ bù néng lái cānjiā pàiduì, yīnwèi wǒ hěn máng.) - “I cannot come to the party because I'm busy.”

2. 不能 (bù néng) vs. 不可以 (bù kěyǐ) These two are often interchangeable when talking about rules or giving/denying permission.

• 不可以 (bù kěyǐ): More focused on permission. It's the direct negative of 可以 (kěyǐ), which is often used to ask “May I…?” So, a “不可以” feels like a direct “No, you may not.”
• 不能 (bù néng): Can also mean “not allowed,” but it often frames the prohibition as a statement of fact or a general rule about what is possible in a situation. It can feel slightly less personal or direct than 不可以.
• Example: On a “No Smoking” sign, you could see 禁止吸烟 (Jìnzhǐ xīyān), but in conversation, both are fine:
  • 这里不可以抽烟。(Zhèlǐ bù kěyǐ chōuyān.) - Emphasizes permission is not granted.
  • 这里不能抽烟。(Zhèlǐ bù néng chōuyān.) - Emphasizes that it's not a place where smoking is possible/allowed.

• 不会 (bú huì) - Refers to the lack of a learned skill (“don't know how to”), a key term to distinguish from 不能.
• 不可以 (bù kěyǐ) - A strong synonym for prohibition, meaning “may not” or “not allowed.”
• 可以 (kěyǐ) - The direct antonym, meaning “can,” “may,” or “okay.”
• 能够 (nénggòu) - A more formal and slightly stronger version of 能, often used in written or formal language to mean “to be capable of.”
• 可能 (kěnéng) - A related concept meaning “possible” or “maybe.” If something is 不可能 (bù kěnéng), you definitely 不能 do it.
• 没办法 (méi bànfǎ) - “There's no way,” “it can't be helped.” A common phrase used to express the result of a 不能 situation.
• 禁止 (jìnzhǐ) - A very formal verb meaning “to prohibit,” “to forbid.” You often see it on official signs.
• 不行 (bùxíng) - A common, and often blunt, colloquial term meaning “not okay,” “won't do,” or “no way.” It's a general-purpose refusal.