Chinese phrase
抱歉，不能 bào qiàn bù néng
Meaning
I'm sorry I can't
When to use it
Expresses regret about being unable to do something. It is a soft, polite refusal, often used in reply to a request and followed by a short reason.
Example dialogue
你明天能帮我照看孩子吗？ nǐ míng tiān néng bāng wǒ zhào kàn hái zi ma
Can you help me look after my child tomorrow?
抱歉，不能，我今天有工作安排。 bào qiàn bù néng wǒ jīn tiān yǒu gōng zuò ān pái
Sorry, I can't. I have work scheduled today.