Verb + 不了: can't manage it

不了 after a verb means “can't manage it”: not enough strength or time, or something in the way. 去不了 is “I won't be able to go”, while 不能去 often sounds like “not allowed”. To ask: 你去得了吗？ Here 了 is read liǎo, not le.

Examples

• 我受不了辣。 Wǒ shòubuliǎo là. I can't stand spicy food.
• 菜太多了，我吃不了。 Cài tài duō le, wǒ chībuliǎo. That's too much food, I can't finish it.
• 明天我有事，去不了。 Míngtiān wǒ yǒu shì, qùbuliǎo. I'm busy tomorrow, I won't be able to come.

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