ma non potevo

but I couldn't

→ ma
phrase Uncommon #20,400
but I couldn't Used to say that something was not possible for you, or that you were unable to do it.
IT: Volevo aiutarti, ma non potevo.
EN: I wanted to help you, but I couldn't.

Ma non potevo assolutamente permettergli di piantare il suo seme malvagio in me.

But I absolutely could not allow him to plant his evil seed in me.

— Una di famiglia (2025)

Ma non potevo dire queste cose a sua moglie.

But I couldn't tell his wife these things.

— Viaggio a Tokyo (1953)

Vi chiedo scusa, ma non potevo farne a meno.

I apologize, but I couldn't help it.

— Stalker (1979)

Lo sapevo ma non potevo fare nulla.

I knew it but I couldn't do anything.

— Good Bye, Lenin! (2003)

Ma non potevo rifiutare te.

But I couldn't refuse you.

— Ricchi... da morire - Delitti in famiglia (2026)

Ti volevo bene ma non potevo più restare in quella situazione.

I loved you but I couldn't stay in that situation anymore.

Lo vedevo, ma non potevo entrarci.

I could see it, but I couldn't enter it.

— Suzume (2022)

Ma non potevo farlo sulla strada per Yamashina.

But I couldn't do it on the way to Yamashina.

— Rashomon (1950)

Ma non potevo visitare ogni castello, casa e villaggio.

But I couldn't visit every castle, house and village.

— Dracula - L’amore perduto (2025)

Ma non potevo dirgli niente.

But I couldn't tell him anything.

— I diabolici (1955)

Ma non potevo agire in altro modo.

But I couldn't do anything else.

— Vivere (1952)