Meaning and Usage
"無能" (むのう) literally means "lack of ability" or "incompetence." It is a strong, often negative term used to describe someone who is unable to perform tasks effectively or lacks the necessary skills.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in work or social settings to criticize someone's performance or capability. It can refer to both general incompetence and specific inefficiency in tasks.
Collocations and Patterns
- 無能な人 (むのうなひと): an incompetent person
- 無能だと感じる (むのうだとかんじる): to feel incompetent
- 無能な上司 (むのうなじょうし): an incompetent boss
These collocations emphasize the negative evaluation of ability and are often used in informal or critical conversations.
Register and Nuance
"無能" is a harsh word and can be offensive if used directly to describe someone. It is more common in candid or critical discussions rather than polite or formal speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "無能" with milder terms like "不得意" (not good at). "無能" implies a more serious lack of ability, so use it carefully to avoid sounding too harsh or rude.