Looking up...
To be unable to do something; to lack the ability or permission to do something
他不能游泳。
He can't swim.
你不能这样做。
You can't do that.
Often used to express inability, prohibition, or impossibility.
'不能' is a versatile word that can be used to express inability, prohibition, or impossibility. It is often used in negative sentences.
'不能' is a negative word and is often used with other negative words to form double negatives, which can be confusing for learners.
Combination of 不 (bù, 'not') and 能 (néng, 'can'), forming a negation of ability or possibility.
In formal contexts, '不能' is often used to express prohibition or impossibility. In informal contexts, it can also express inability.