How to reply when he says he can't give you what you want

This isn't ambiguous. When someone says they can't give you what you want, they're saying there's a gap between what you're looking for and what they're able or willing to offer. The gap might be about commitment, emotional availability, time, or something else. But it exists and he sees it.

He might be right. He might be wrong about what you actually want. Either way, his statement is a data point. It means he's thought about the mismatch and decided to tell you instead of just fading. That's worth taking seriously, even if it stings. This isn't a test or a negotiation. He's drawing a boundary.

A solid reply does two things. First, it names what you're actually looking for in clear, simple terms. Not to convince him or prove him wrong, but so he knows you understand your own needs. Second, it asks him to tell you exactly what he thinks the problem is. This forces him to be concrete instead of vague.

Vague replies let him stay in the abstract. Asking him to spell it out either clarifies things or reveals that he's making assumptions. Either way, you get real information. You're not attacking or defending. You're just asking him to translate his concern into actual words.

Send your reply within a few hours while the conversation is fresh. Don't overthink it or sit on it for days. The message works best when it's a natural continuation of what he said.

Then stop. Don't send a follow-up text. Don't keep the conversation going on your own. If he wants to clarify or work through it, he'll respond. If he doesn't, that's also an answer. A long silence after you've asked him to be specific tells you he's not willing to engage with the real conversation. That's worth knowing. Give it 24 to 48 hours before you decide what to do next.