no poder

not be able to

→ no
phrase Very common #892
not be able to Used before another verb in the infinitive to express inability to do something. In natural English, it is often translated as can't or cannot.
SP: Siento no poder ir contigo hoy.
EN: I'm sorry I can't go with you today.

Y para colmo, no poder terminarlo esta noche.

And to top it all off, I can't finish it tonight.

— Los cuatrocientos golpes (1959)

Debe ser muy difícil no poder enterrar a tu hijo.

It must be very difficult not being able to bury your child.

— Tropa de élite (2007)

Él nadaba hasta no poder nadar más.

He swam until he couldn't swim anymore.

Dile que me perdone por no poder llevarla al baile.

Tell her to forgive me for not being able to take her to the dance.

— Atrápame si puedes (2002)

Lamentamos no poder ayudarle.

We’re sorry we can’t help you.

Es una lástima no poder encontrar al topo.

It's a shame we can't find the mole.

— Juego sucio (Infernal Affairs) (2002)

Lo sentimos mucho por no poder ayudarlos.

We’re very sorry we couldn’t help you.

Tenías miedo de no poder mirarme a la cara, como ahora.

You were afraid you wouldn’t be able to look me in the eye, just like now.

— Open Your Eyes (1997)

Él se quejó de no poder encontrar trabajo.

He complained about not being able to find a job.

Qué lástima no poder salir.

What a shame we can't go out.

— El hundimiento (2004)

Me fastidia no poder ir.

It annoys me that I can't go.

Finge no poder llevar una vida normal.

He pretends he can't lead a normal life.

— Parásitos (2019)

Perdón por no poder reunirte con tu papá.

Sorry I couldn't meet you with your dad.

Tiene pinta de no poder hacer daño ni a una mosca.

He looks like he couldn't hurt a fly.

Nosotros lamentamos no poder aceptar su solicitud.

We regret that we cannot accept your request.

Me alegra no poder ir.

I'm glad I can't go.

Me alegro de no poder ir.

I'm glad I can't go.

La vida nunca es tan mala como para no poder ser peor.

Life is never so bad that it couldn't be worse.

A no poder proteger a tu hermana.

Not being able to protect your sister.

— Black Phone 2 (2025)

Lamentamos no poder ayudarte.

We’re sorry we can’t help you.