无能

wú néng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Adjective Uncommon

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Definitions

1. incompetence
2. inability
3. incapable
4. powerless

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Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 能干 néng gàn 能干 néng gàn capable Opposite of incompetent: capable

Synonyms

1 item

• 无力 wú lì 无力 wú lì powerless In the sense of lacking ability or strength: powerless

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used with 软弱 (weak) in the phrase 软弱无能 (weak and incompetent).

Common mistakes

Do not confuse with 不能 (cannot). 无能 describes a permanent lack of ability, not a temporary inability.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他觉得自己很 无能 ，什么都做不好。

He feels very incompetent and cannot do anything well.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 无能

• 无能为力 无能为力 wú néng wéi lì: impotent (idiom)
• 庸碌无能 庸碌无能 yōng lù wú néng: mediocre and incompetent

Child Words of 无能

• 无 无 wú: not to have
• 能 能 néng: can