How to Say “I cannot speak Chinese” in Chinese
Small talk and travel · HSK 2
"I cannot speak Chinese" in Chinese is 我不会说中文 (Wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén). Use 不会 (not 不能) for inability to do a learned skill; saying 我不能说中文 sounds like you're physically prevented from speaking, which is confusing. Note the tone sandhi: 不 is normally 4th tone (bù), but before another 4th tone like 会 (huì) it shifts to 2nd tone; 'bú huì.
Primary translation
我不会说中文
Wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén
Traditional: 我不會說中文
When to use it
Use 不会 (not 不能) for inability to do a learned skill; saying 我不能说中文 sounds like you're physically prevented from speaking, which is confusing. Note the tone sandhi: 不 is normally 4th tone (bù), but before another 4th tone like 会 (huì) it shifts to 2nd tone; 'bú huì.' Natives will often reply with 没关系 (méi guānxi, no problem) and switch to English if they can, or gesture and use Baidu Translate. In the Mainland, pulling out a translation app is completely normal; in Taiwan, people will often help with extra patience. To soften, add 对不起 (sorry) at the start.
Example sentences
对不起，我不会说中文，您会英文吗？
Duìbùqǐ, wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén, nín huì Yīngwén ma?
Sorry, I can't speak Chinese, do you speak English?
我不会说中文，能写下来吗？
Wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén, néng xiě xiàlái ma?
I can't speak Chinese, could you write it down?
他不会说中文，但听得懂一点。
Tā bú huì shuō Zhōngwén, dàn tīng de dǒng yì diǎn.
He can't speak Chinese, but he understands a little.