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How to Say ‘I can't drink alcohol’ in Simplified Chinese

不能喝酒

bù néng hē jiǔ

[boo-nung hē jiu]

💬 Usage Tip: 能 (néng) means you aren't allowed or able to because of the circumstances, here because you drove. Don't confuse it with 会, which means "know how to".

Phrase Breakdown

不能

bù néng

[boo-nung]

cannot; be unable to

Used to express that someone is not able to attend or arrive.

Example

如果您今天不能来,可以先打电话。

If you can’t come today, you can call first.

喝

hē

[hē]

to drink

The action of consuming a liquid.

Example

我想喝摩天大楼。

I want to drink a Skyscraper.

酒

jiǔ

[jiu]

alcohol

A distilled drink or fermented beverage that contains alcohol.

Example

这酒很贵。

This alcohol is very expensive.

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