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yīnwèi wǒ hěn máng, suǒyǐ wǒ bù néng gēn nǐ yìqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng.

因为yīnwèi　我wǒ　很hěn　忙máng，　所以suǒyǐ　我wǒ　不bù　能néng　跟gēn　你nǐ　一起yìqǐ　去qù　看kàn　电影diànyǐng。yīnwèi wǒ hěn máng, suǒyǐ wǒ bù néng gēn nǐ yìqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng.
Because I am very busy, I can’t go watch a movie with you.
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Questions & Answers about yīnwèi wǒ hěn máng, suǒyǐ wǒ bù néng gēn nǐ yìqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng.

Do I need both 因为 and 所以? It feels redundant compared with English.

Using both is normal and very common in Chinese.

  • Full form: 因为…，所以… (Because…, therefore…)
  • You can drop 所以: 因为我很忙，(所以) 不能…
  • Or drop 因为 and just state the reason first: 我很忙，所以不能… Avoid using neither; at least one of them (or clear context) should mark the cause–effect relationship.
Can I drop the second 我?

Yes. If the subject doesn’t change, you can omit it in the second clause:

  • 因为我很忙，所以不能跟你一起去看电影。 Keeping it (as in the original) is also fine and slightly more explicit.
Why is 很 before 忙? Does it always mean “very”?

In predicate adjective sentences, 很 often functions as a neutral linker, not necessarily “very.” 我很忙 usually just means “I’m busy.”

  • Neutral description: 我很忙。
  • Truly emphatic: 我非常忙 / 我真的很忙 / 我太忙了。
  • 我忙 is grammatical but tends to sound contrastive/abrupt (e.g., answering 你忙不忙？— 我忙。).
Why not use 是 with the adjective (e.g., 我是很忙 / 我是忙)?

Chinese adjectives act like stative verbs; you don’t use 是 for simple descriptions.

  • Correct: 我很忙。
  • 我是很忙 can appear for focus/contrast (e.g., “I am indeed busy, but…”).
  • 我是忙 is incorrect.
What’s the difference between 不能, 不可以, 不会, and 没能?
  • 不能: cannot; not able/possible due to circumstances. Fits this context.
  • 不可以: not allowed/prohibited; also used for polite refusal in some contexts.
  • 不会: don’t know how/lack the skill (e.g., 我不会游泳).
  • 没能: did not manage to (past outcome) — 昨天我没能去.
    You can also say 我没空/没有时间 to stress no free time.
Why is 去 there? Can I just say 看电影?

Both are fine.

  • 去看电影 highlights going somewhere to watch (natural for moviegoing).
  • 看电影 focuses on the activity itself.
    With a place, use 去 + 地点 + 看电影 (e.g., 去电影院看电影).
Where should 一起 go? Is 一起跟你去看电影 or 跟你去一起看电影 OK?
  • Most natural: 跟你一起去看电影.
  • Also fine: 一起跟你去看电影 (a bit different emphasis, still natural).
  • Avoid: 跟你去一起看电影 (awkward).
    Note: 一起 implies doing something with others; use 我们一起… or 跟你一起…. 我一起去… (without another participant) sounds odd.
Can I use 和 instead of 跟?
Yes. 和你一起… and 跟你一起… are both common. 跟 is a bit more colloquial; 同 is more formal/written.
Do I need a measure word before 电影? Why not 看一部电影?

For the general activity, no measure word: 看电影.
When counting, add one: 看一部电影 (a film as a work) or 看一场电影 (a screening). Colloquial: 看个电影.

Why is 一 in 一起 pronounced yì (fourth tone), not yī?

Tone sandhi for 一:

  • Before a 4th tone, it becomes 2nd tone: 一个 yí gè.
  • Before 1st/2nd/3rd tones, it becomes 4th tone: 一天 yì tiān, 一杯 yì bēi, 一起 yì qǐ.
  • Alone or at the end, it’s yī.
Does 不 change tone in 不能?
不 changes to bú only before a 4th-tone syllable (e.g., 不对 bú duì). 能 is 2nd tone, so it stays bù néng.
How do you actually pronounce 所以? Both syllables are marked 3rd tone.
In connected speech, 3rd–3rd becomes 2nd–3rd: 所以 is pronounced like suóyǐ (2–3), though dictionaries write suǒyǐ.
Is the comma placement correct? Do Chinese sentences use spaces?
Yes, the comma ， after the reason clause is standard. In normal Chinese writing there are no spaces between words; the spaces in your example are for learners only.
Where should time words (e.g., 今天, 现在) go?

Place time after the subject and before the verb:

  • 因为我今天很忙，所以我不能跟你一起去看电影。
    You can front the time for emphasis: 今天因为我很忙，所以….
Is there a softer/more polite way to refuse?

Yes. Add apologies/hedges:

  • 不好意思，今天我有点儿忙，可能不能跟你一起去看电影。改天吧。
  • 真抱歉，我这两天太忙了，没空去看电影。