Chinese phrase
抱歉，我不能答应 bào qiàn wǒ bù néng dā yìng
Meaning
Sorry I can't agree to that
When to use it
This phrase politely refuses a request or proposal. It often gives a brief reason afterward and sounds softer than a direct refusal.
Example dialogue
能不能把这个项目接下来负责一下？ néng bù néng bǎ zhè ge xiàng mù jiē xià lái fù zé yí xià
Could you take over this project?
抱歉，我不能答应，我已经有别的安排了。 bào qiàn wǒ bù néng dā yìng wǒ yǐ jīng yǒu bié de ān pái le
Sorry, I can't agree to that. I already have other plans.