"I do not find the knife."

Translation: Io non trovo il coltello.

[Elena18]

I understand this is the literal translation, but this be used in the same way we would say "I can't find the knife?"

[mukkapazza]

Exactly. Expressing the inability to achieve a goal can be done in Italian without using potere, to be able to/can:

• I can't do it/Non ce la faccio
• We can't hear you/Non ti sentiamo
• He can't see you/Lui non ti vede

[andrechesini]

Why can't I say "Non incontro il coltello"?