How to Say ‘You cannot’ in French
Vous ne pouvez pas
voo nuh poo-VAY pah
[voo nuh poo-VAY pah]
💬 Usage Tip: A polite way to deny or refuse something.
🇫🇷 In France: Being direct but polite is important in French culture.
Phrase Breakdown
Vous
[voo]
You cannot
Used to indicate that someone does not have the permission or ability to do something.
Vous ne pouvez pas laisser l'animal seul.
You cannot leave the animal alone.
Ne pouvez pas
nuh poo-VAY pah
Words in this phrase
ne
[nuh]
Not
Part of a negation in formal or written French.
Vous ne pouvez pas laisser l'animal seul.
You cannot leave the animal alone.
pouvez
[poo-VAY]
Can
Forms part of the phrase for ability or permission in questions or negative sentences.
Vous ne pouvez pas laisser l'animal seul.
You cannot leave the animal alone.
pas
[pah]
Not
Used to create the negative form of verbs in French sentences.
Vous ne pouvez pas laisser l'animal seul.
You cannot leave the animal alone.
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