How to Say ‘Cannot’ in French
Ne pouvez pas
nuh poo-VAY pah
[nuh poo-VAY pah]
💬 Usage Tip: Expression of inability or prohibition.
🇫🇷 In France: French negatives often use 'ne'... 'pas' around the verb. Dropping 'ne' is common in casual speech.
Phrase Breakdown
Ne
[nuh]
Cannot
Marks the negative form of ability or permission, indicating 'cannot' or 'unable to'.
Vous ne pouvez pas entrer ici avec l'animal.
You cannot enter here with the animal.
pouvez
[poo-VAY]
Cannot
Forms part of the negative construction 'cannot' in French.
Vous ne pouvez pas entrer ici avec l'animal.
You cannot enter here with the animal.
pas
[pah]
Not
Used to form negations in French sentences.
Vous ne pouvez pas entrer ici avec l'animal.
You cannot enter here with the animal.
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