决不能

決不能 is an adverbial phrase meaning 'absolutely not' or 'certainly not.' It expresses a strong refusal or denial, emphasizing that something is impossible or unacceptable.

The character 决 (jué) originally meant 'to decide' or 'determine,' and over time came to be used in expressions of firmness or finality. 不 (bù) means 'not,' and 能 (néng) means 'can' or 'able to.' Together, they form a phrase that emphasizes the impossibility or inappropriateness of an action.

決不能 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express strong disagreement or prohibition. It is often used in legal, official, or moral contexts, but can also appear in everyday conversations to emphasize a clear boundary or rule.