Chinese word

无能

Pronunciation

Pinyinwú néng

Meaning

  • adjectiveincompetent

Example

我觉得他很无能。wǒ jué de tā hěn wú néng

I think he is very incompetent.

Illustration for 无能 (incompetent)

More examples

在关键时刻，他的表现显得无能。zài guān jiàn shí kè tā de biǎo xiàn xiǎn de wú néng

At a key moment, his performance appeared incompetent.

Core concept

The ability needed to carry a task through is missing, leaving the person or group ineffective.

Common phrases

  • 显得无能xiǎn de wú néng

    appear incompetent

  • 被认为无能bèi rèn wéi wú néng

    be regarded as incompetent

  • 无能的人wú néng de rén

    person who is incompetent

Similar words

不擅长bú shàn cháng: Having weak skills in a particular activity or field.
不太会bú tài huì: Not being familiar enough with how to do something correctly.
不胜任bú shèng rèn: Not having enough ability or experience to perform an assigned job.
不称职bú chèn zhí: Not having the ability or responsibility needed to perform a particular job properly.

Definition in Chinese

没有完成某项工作或任务所需的能力或技巧，不能胜任。méi yǒu wán chéng mǒu xiàng gōng zuò huò rèn wù suǒ xū de néng lì huò jì qiǎo bù néng shèng rèn

Word origin

无 (wú, "without") + 能 (néng, "ability") combines the absence of something with the ability to do it, pointing to insufficient skill or power.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this word can sound insulting when aimed at a person, while a specific missing skill gives a more neutral description.

Other meanings

  • incompetencenoun
  • powerlessadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word