星級典句：

第一句：I'm afraid I can't do that.
恐怕不行。

A: Can you lend me some money?
你能借我點錢嗎？
B: I'm afraid I can't do that.
恐怕不行。

第二句：I'm sorry but I can't help you.
抱歉我不能幫你。

A: Could you write the thesis for me?
你能幫我寫論文嗎？
B: I'm sorry but I can't help you.
抱歉我不能幫你。
A: You know, I'm so busy with my part-time job recently. Would you please...
你知道我最近忙兼職，你能……
B: Sorry. But I can't.
對不起，我不能這么做！

拒絕別人的較為委婉的說法有：

I wish I could help you, but I can't.
我希望我能幫上你，可我不能。

I'm sorry, but I'm busy right now.
對不起，我現在很忙。

而強硬的拒絕可以說：

I said no and I mean it.
我說不行就不行。