How to Say “I cannot speak Chinese” in Chinese
Small talk and travel
"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.
Related phrases
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