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How to Say ‘Cannot’ in Traditional Chinese

不了

💬 Usage Tip: Combines [不] (not) with [了] (le, a modal particle) to indicate inability.

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: [不了] suggests limits and impossibilities.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

不了

[bù liǎo]

unable

Not able to do something.

Example

他今天不了解

He is unable to comprehend today.

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