Chinese word

无法

Pronunciation

Pinyinwú fǎ

Meaning

  • verbcan't

Example

他因为生病无法来上课。tā yīn wèi shēng bìng wú fǎ lái shàng kè

He can't come to class because he's sick.

Illustration for 无法 (can't)

More examples

我试了很多方法，但还是无法联系到他。wǒ shì le hěn duō fāng fǎ dàn hái shì wú fǎ lián xì dào tā

I tried many ways, but I still couldn't get in touch with him.

Core concept

A necessary path, tool, or condition is absent, so the action cannot go forward.

Common phrases

  • 无法做到wú fǎ zuò dào

    cannot accomplish

  • 无法完成wú fǎ wán chéng

    cannot complete

  • 无法联系wú fǎ lián xì

    cannot contact

Similar words

没法méi fǎ: Having no way to carry out an action, especially in casual speech.
不能bù néng: Lacking the ability or permission to do something, or being stopped by circumstances.
办不到bàn bú dào: Unable to get a required task done because the necessary conditions or means are unavailable.

Definition in Chinese

因条件或手段不足而不能做某事，表示没有办法实现或进行某个动作。yīn tiáo jiàn huò shǒu duàn bù zú ér bù néng zuò mǒu shì biǎo shì méi yǒu bàn fǎ shí xiàn huò jìn xíng mǒu gè dòng zuò

Word origin

无 (wú, "not have") + 法 (fǎ, "way or method") presents an action as lacking a workable means, giving the compound its sense of being unable to happen.

Usage tips

  • A natural Chinese pattern places this word immediately before the verb naming the action that cannot be carried out.

Other meanings

  • impossibleadjective
  • no wayadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word