How to Say ‘I can't’ in French
Je ne peux pas
zhuh nuh puh pah
[zhuh nuh puh pah]
💬 Usage Tip: Remember the structure: 'ne' + verb + 'pas'.
Phrase Breakdown
Je
[zhuh]
I cannot
Expressing one's inability to perform an action.
Je ne peux pas vous arrêter ici, désolé.
I can't stop you here, sorry.
Ne peux pas
nuh puh pah
Words in this phrase
ne
[nuh]
cannot
Indicates inability to do something.
Je ne peux pas vous aider avec ça.
I cannot help you with that.
peux
[puh]
can
Expresses capability or possibility.
Que peux-tu faire ici?
What can you do here?
pas
[pah]
not
Negates the meaning of a verb.
Il ne passe pas souvent par ici.
He does not pass here often.
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