When you want to say someone is incompetent or incapable in Japanese, you can use the word 無能な (munō na).
Think of it like saying someone is not good at their job or unable to do something well.
For example, if a person isn't performing their tasks effectively, you might describe them as 無能な人 (munō na hito), meaning an incompetent person.
It's a straightforward way to express a lack of ability in a particular area.
When someone is 無能な (bunō na), it means they are incompetent or incapable. You can use it to describe a person who isn't very good at their job or lacks certain skills. For example, if a chef keeps burning the food, you might say they are 無能な. It's a way to say someone isn't effective or able to do what's expected.
When talking about people, 「無能な」 (bunou na) is a Japanese adjective that describes someone as incompetent or incapable. It's often used in situations where someone is unable to perform their duties or lacks the necessary skills for a task.
You might hear it in a workplace setting if a colleague isn't pulling their weight, or perhaps in a more general sense to describe someone who is generally inept.
For example, if someone keeps making mistakes at their job, you could say they are 「無能な人」 (bunou na hito – an incompetent person).
It's a straightforward word to express a lack of ability.
When we call someone or something 「無能な」 (munō na), we're saying they're incompetent or incapable. It's often used when someone consistently fails to perform their duties or lacks the necessary skills for a task.
You might hear it in a work context, describing an employee, or even in a more general sense about a system or a plan that isn't working effectively.
While it directly translates to 'incompetent,' it can sometimes carry a stronger nuance of 'useless' or 'good-for-nothing' depending on the context and tone.
It's a straightforward word to describe a lack of ability or effectiveness.
When using 無能な (munō na) to describe someone as incompetent, it's often paired with nouns like 人 (hito, person) or 職員 (shokuin, staff member). For example, 無能な人 (munō na hito) means an incompetent person. You can also use it to describe a state of being, such as 彼の無能さが露呈した (kare no munō-sa ga rotei shita), meaning his incompetence was revealed. It's a strong word, so use it carefully.
When using 無能な (munō na) to describe someone, it's a pretty strong way to say they're incompetent or incapable. It often implies a significant lack of ability or skill for a particular task or role. For example, you might hear it in a workplace setting to describe an employee who consistently fails to meet expectations. It's more than just saying someone is not good at something; it suggests a fundamental inability.
§ What does 無能な (munouna) mean?
The Japanese adjective 無能な (munouna) directly translates to 'incompetent' or 'incapable' in English. It's used to describe someone or something that lacks the necessary skills, ability, or qualification to perform a task effectively. Think of it as the opposite of 'competent' or 'capable'.
- DEFINITION
- Incompetent or incapable.
When you hear or use 無能な, it generally implies a significant lack of ability, not just a minor mistake or a temporary struggle. It's often used when someone consistently fails to meet expectations or is clearly out of their depth in a particular role or situation.
§ When do people use 無能な?
People use 無能な in various contexts, often when expressing frustration, criticism, or disappointment regarding someone's performance or ability. Here are some common scenarios:
- Describing a person's work performance: If a colleague or employee consistently underperforms or cannot handle their responsibilities, they might be described as 無能な.
- Critiquing a leader or politician: When a leader is perceived as ineffective or unable to govern properly, the term 無能な can be applied to them.
- Referring to a system or organization: Sometimes, an entire system or organization can be deemed 無能な if it consistently fails to achieve its goals or serve its purpose.
- In self-deprecating humor (less common, be careful): While rare and highly dependent on context and relationship, some people might jokingly refer to themselves as 無能な in a self-deprecating way. However, this is not a general rule and should be approached with caution.
It's important to note that using 無能な can be quite direct and, depending on the situation and relationship, potentially offensive. It's not a word you'd typically use lightly in polite conversation, especially when talking directly to someone you are describing. It's more commonly heard in third-person discussions or internal thoughts.
§ Examples of 無能な in use
彼は本当に無能なリーダーだ。
Translation hint: He is a truly incompetent leader.
そのチームの失敗は、彼の無能な指示によるものだ。
Translation hint: That team's failure is due to his incapable instructions.
彼はその仕事を遂行するにはあまりにも無能な人物だ。
Translation hint: He is too incompetent a person to carry out that job.
§ Understanding 無能な
無能な (munouna) is a useful adjective to describe someone or something as incompetent or incapable. It's often used in situations where someone is not performing well in their role, or a tool isn't functioning as it should. Let's break down how to use it.
- Japanese Word
- 無能な (munouna)
- CEFR Level
- B1
- Definition
- Incompetent or incapable.
§ Basic Grammar: な-adjective
無能な is a な-adjective. This means it behaves like other な-adjectives you already know, such as 好きな (suki na - favorite) or 静かな (shizuka na - quiet). Here's how it works:
- When modifying a noun, you use 無能な + noun.
- When it's at the end of a sentence (as a predicate), the な is dropped, and it becomes 無能だ (munou da) in plain form, or 無能です (munou desu) in polite form.
- To make it negative, you use 無能ではない (munou dewa nai) or 無能じゃありません (munou ja arimasen).
§ Examples in Sentences
Let's look at some examples to see 無能な in action. Pay attention to how it connects to the noun it describes.
彼は無能なリーダーだった。
- Hint
- He was an incompetent leader.
Here, 無能な directly modifies the noun リーダー (riidaa - leader).
そのシステムは無能なため、全く機能しない。
- Hint
- Because that system is incompetent/incapable, it doesn't function at all.
In this example, 無能な modifies システム (shisutemu - system). The ため (tame) indicates a reason or cause.
彼は全く無能だと非難された。
- Hint
- He was criticized for being completely incompetent.
Here, 無能だ is used as the predicate at the end of a clause. This is the plain form.
彼らは自分たちのボスが無能だと感じていた。
- Hint
- They felt their boss was incompetent.
In this case, 無能だ is part of a quoted thought using と (to).
§ Nuances and Usage Tips
While 無能な directly translates to incompetent, it can carry a strong negative connotation. It implies a lack of ability or skill, often to a significant degree. It's generally used for people who are truly bad at something or systems that completely fail.
You might hear or read it in:
- Political commentary to criticize leaders.
- Discussions about failing systems or organizations.
- Less formally, to express frustration about someone's poor performance.
It's not typically used for minor mistakes or simply being new to a task. It's for a fundamental lack of capability.
§ Related Vocabulary
To give you some context, here are a few related words:
- 下手な (heta na): Clumsy, unskillful (more general and less harsh).
- 役立たず (yakudatazu): Useless (can be used for people or things).
- 無能 (munou): The noun form of 無能な, meaning incompetence.
Keep practicing with these examples and try to create your own sentences. The more you use it, the more natural it will become!
§ Don't confuse 無能な with 無能 (munou)
Many learners mix up 無能な (munouna) and 無能 (munou). While they come from the same root, their grammatical function is different. 無能な is an adjective, meaning 'incompetent' or 'incapable'. 無能, on the other hand, is a noun, meaning 'incompetence' or 'an incompetent person'. You can't use 無能 directly to describe a noun like you can with 無能な.
§ Using 無能な with the wrong particle
When 無能な modifies a noun, it directly precedes it, just like other な-adjectives. You do not need a particle in between. A common mistake is to add particles like の (no) or が (ga) when they aren't needed.
無能な人 (munouna hito)
- Hint
- An incompetent person
Incorrect: 無能なのが人 (munouna no ga hito)
§ Overusing 無能な for mild incompetence
無能な is a strong word. It implies a significant lack of ability or complete incompetence. Using it for minor mistakes or slight clumsiness can sound overly harsh. For less severe situations, consider softer expressions.
下手 (heta): Clumsy, unskillful (e.g., 彼は料理が下手です - He's bad at cooking.)
不器用 (bukiyou): Clumsy with hands, awkward (e.g., 私は不器用なので、細かい作業は苦手です - I'm clumsy, so I'm not good at detailed work.)
能力不足 (nouryoku busoku): Lack of ability (more formal and objective than 無能な)
§ Using 無能な in formal or polite contexts
Because 無能な is such a direct and strong term, it's generally avoided in formal business settings or when speaking to superiors. It can sound very impolite and accusatory. In professional environments, people often use more indirect or milder phrasing to express concerns about someone's capability.
- Instead of
- あのチームは無能な人ばかりだ。(Ano chiimu wa munouna hito bakari da.) - That team is full of incompetent people.
- Consider
- あのチームは少し経験不足かもしれません。(Ano chiimu wa sukoshi keiken busoku kamo shiremasen.) - That team might lack a bit of experience.
This subtle difference is crucial for navigating social situations in Japan.
§ Understanding 無能な (munouna)
You've learned that 無能な (munouna) means 'incompetent' or 'incapable.' It's a useful word, but Japanese has several ways to express similar ideas. Let's look at 無能な and some other common terms so you know when to use each one.
- DEFINITION
- 無能な (munouna) refers to a general lack of ability or skill. It can apply to a person or their actions. It often carries a strong, direct, and sometimes negative connotation, suggesting someone is truly not good at something they should be able to do.
彼は無能なリーダーだ。(Kare wa munouna riidaa da.)
Hint: He is an incompetent leader.
彼女の計画はあまりにも無能だった。(Kanojo no keikaku wa amarini mo munou datta.)
Hint: Her plan was too incompetent (or poorly conceived due to incompetence).
§ Similar Words and Their Nuances
Here are some other words that are similar to 無能な but have different nuances:
下手な (heta na) - Bad at, clumsy, unskillful
- DEFINITION
- 下手な focuses on a lack of skill in a specific area. It's often used for things like sports, cooking, or playing an instrument. It's generally less harsh than 無能な.
彼は料理が下手だ。(Kare wa ryouri ga heta da.)
Hint: He is bad at cooking.
役に立たない (yaku ni tatanai) - Useless, not helpful
- DEFINITION
- 役に立たない describes something (or someone) that doesn't serve its purpose or isn't beneficial. It can imply incompetence, but the focus is on the lack of utility rather than the lack of inherent ability.
この道具は全く役に立たない。(Kono dougu wa mattaku yaku ni tatanai.)
Hint: This tool is completely useless.
不器用な (bukiyou na) - Clumsy, awkward, unskilled (with hands)
- DEFINITION
- 不器用な specifically refers to being clumsy or unskillful, often with physical tasks or manual dexterity. It can overlap with 下手な but often has a stronger focus on physical awkwardness.
彼はとても不器用だから、細かい作業は苦手だ。(Kare wa totemo bukiyou da kara, komakai sagyou wa nigate da.)
Hint: He is very clumsy, so he's not good at detailed work.
無力な (muryoku na) - Powerless, helpless, impotent
- DEFINITION
- 無力な means lacking power, strength, or ability to influence a situation. While someone might be incompetent and therefore powerless, 無力な focuses more on the state of being unable to act or change things, often due to external factors or a lack of overall strength, rather than just skill.
私たちはその状況に対して無力だった。(Watashitachi wa sono joukyou ni taishite muryoku datta.)
Hint: We were powerless against that situation.
§ When to use 無能な (munouna)
Use 無能な when you want to directly state that someone or something lacks fundamental ability or competence for a task or role. It's a strong word. For example:
- When criticizing a leader's ability to lead.
- When describing a system or plan that is fundamentally flawed due to a lack of competence in its creation.
- When someone is truly unfit for a particular job due to a lack of necessary skills or intelligence.
If you just mean someone is bad at a specific skill (like cooking or drawing), use 下手な. If something just doesn't work well or isn't useful, 役に立たない is better. For physical clumsiness, 不器用な works well. And if someone simply lacks power to act, 無力な is the word you need.
How Formal Is It?
"彼はその任務には無能だと判断されました。"
"彼はその仕事をする能力がない。"
"あいつ、本当に使えないな。"
"この絵、へたくそだね。"
"あのパソコン、もうポンコツだわ。"
Curiosidade
The character '能' can also refer to Noh, a traditional Japanese theatrical art form, showcasing a different aspect of 'ability' or 'skill'.
Guia de pronúncia
- Don't stretch the 'u' sound too long in 'mu'.
- Make sure to clearly pronounce both 'o's in 'nouna' separately.
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Gramática essencial
「無能な」 can directly precede a noun to modify it, just like other na-adjectives. For example, 無能な人 (munou na hito) means an incompetent person.
彼は無能なリーダーだ。(Kare wa munou na riidaa da.) - He is an incompetent leader.
When used predicatively at the end of a sentence, 「無能な」 loses the 「な」 particle and becomes 「無能だ」 (munou da) in informal speech, or 「無能です」 (munou desu) in polite speech.
そのシステムは無能だ。(Sono shisutemu wa munou da.) - That system is incompetent.
To form the negative, you would say 「無能ではない」 (munou de wa nai) informally, or 「無能ではありません」 (munou de wa arimasen) politely.
彼は無能ではありません。(Kare wa munou de wa arimasen.) - He is not incompetent.
To describe a state of being incompetent, you can use the 「〜になる」 (ni naru) construction. For example, 無能になる (munou ni naru) means to become incompetent.
彼はその仕事で無能になった。(Kare wa sono shigoto de munou ni natta.) - He became incompetent at that job.
To express that something is done incompetently, you can use the adverbial form 「無能に」 (munou ni), though it's more common to use other adverbs like 「下手くそに」 (hetakuso ni) or to rephrase the sentence.
彼は無能にその仕事を終えた。(Kare wa munou ni sono shigoto o oeta.) - He finished the job incompetently. (While grammatically correct, this phrasing is less natural. A more natural way might be 彼は下手くそにその仕事を終えた or 彼はその仕事をうまくできなかった。)
Exemplos por nível
彼は無能な従業員です。
He is an incompetent employee.
その医者は無能だった。
That doctor was incompetent.
無能なリーダーは問題を引き起こす。
An incompetent leader causes problems.
彼女は自分を無能だと思っている。
She thinks of herself as incompetent.
無能な人はこの仕事には向いていない。
Incompetent people are not suited for this job.
彼は無能な教師ではない。
He is not an incompetent teacher.
無能な政治家を信用してはいけない。
You should not trust incompetent politicians.
それは無能な判断だった。
That was an incompetent judgment.
彼はその仕事には無能だ。
He is incompetent for that job.
「無能だ」is the plain form of the adjective.
無能なリーダーはチームをだめにする。
An incompetent leader ruins the team.
「無能な」modifies the noun 「リーダー」.
彼女は自分を無能だと思っている。
She thinks of herself as incompetent.
「無能だと思っている」means 'thinks of oneself as incompetent'.
そのシステムは無能で使いにくい。
That system is incompetent and hard to use.
「無能で」is the te-form of the adjective, connecting it to another adjective.
無能な部下には何を教えればいいですか。
What should I teach an incompetent subordinate?
「無能な」modifies the noun 「部下」.
彼は自分を無能だと感じている。
He feels he is incompetent.
「無能だと感じている」means 'feels incompetent'.
無能な政府は国民を苦しめる。
An incompetent government makes its citizens suffer.
「無能な」modifies the noun 「政府」.
私は無能な人間ではありません。
I am not an incompetent person.
「無能な人間」means 'an incompetent person'.
彼はその仕事には無能だと見なされている。
He is considered incompetent for that job.
「見なされる」 (minasareru) means "to be considered" or "to be regarded as".
その無能な指導者は会社を破滅させた。
That incompetent leader ruined the company.
「破滅させる」 (hametsu saseru) means "to ruin" or "to destroy".
彼女は無能な部下をどう扱えばいいか悩んでいた。
She was troubled about how to deal with her incompetent subordinate.
「どう扱えばいいか」 (dō atsukae ba ii ka) means "how to deal with it" or "how to handle it".
無能な政府の政策が市民を苦しめている。
The policies of the incompetent government are causing suffering to citizens.
「苦しめる」 (kurushimeru) means "to cause suffering" or "to torment".
彼は自分を無能な人間だと思っている。
He thinks of himself as an incompetent person.
「～と思う」 (to omou) means "to think that...".
そのチームは無能なコーチのために負けた。
That team lost because of their incompetent coach.
「～のために」 (no tame ni) means "because of" or "for the sake of".
彼女の無能な行動が問題を引き起こした。
Her incompetent actions caused problems.
「引き起こす」 (hikiokosu) means "to cause" or "to bring about".
無能なマネージャーがプロジェクトを台無しにした。
The incompetent manager ruined the project.
「台無しにする」 (dainashi ni suru) means "to ruin" or "to mess up".
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
彼は本当に無能な人間だ。
He is a truly incompetent person.
その無能な決定が問題を引き起こした。
That incompetent decision caused problems.
無能な上司にうんざりしている。
I'm fed up with my incompetent boss.
無能な働きでは何も解決しない。
Incompetent work solves nothing.
彼を無能だと決めつけるのは早すぎる。
It's too early to label him incompetent.
無能な行動はやめてください。
Please stop your incompetent actions.
無能な政府に対する批判が高まっている。
Criticism of the incompetent government is growing.
彼は無能なフリをしているだけかもしれない。
He might just be pretending to be incompetent.
チームの無能さが露呈した。
The team's incompetence was exposed.
自分の無能さを認めるのは難しい。
It's hard to admit your own incompetence.
Frequentemente confundido com
This is a direct and literal way to say 'lacks ability.' While it conveys a similar meaning, 無能な is a more concise adjective.
Means 'to be useless' or 'not to be helpful.' It's often used for things but can apply to people. Similar to 役立たず but is a verb phrase.
A very general term meaning 'cannot do' or 'unable to do.' While broad, it often describes a temporary or specific inability, whereas 無能な implies a more inherent lack of competence.
Fácil de confundir
Sounds similar to 無能な (munouna) and both relate to lack of ability, but they are used in different grammatical contexts.
能なし is a noun, often used to describe a person as 'a good-for-nothing' or 'an incompetent person.' It carries a stronger, more direct, and often derogatory connotation than 無能な.
彼は全くの能なしだ。 (Kare wa mattaku no nōnashi da.) - He is a complete good-for-nothing.
Also describes someone or something as useless or incompetent, leading to overlap in meaning.
While similar, 役立たず often emphasizes 'uselessness' or 'not being helpful' rather than just a general lack of ability. It can apply to objects as well as people.
こんな役立たずな機械は捨ててしまおう。 (Konna yakudatazu na kikai wa sutete shimaou.) - Let's throw away this useless machine.
Refers to clumsiness or being unskillful, which can be seen as a form of incompetence.
不器用な specifically points to a lack of skill or dexterity, particularly with one's hands or in practical tasks. 無能な is a broader term for general incompetence.
彼女は手先が不器用だ。 (Kanojo wa tesaki ga bukiyō da.) - She is clumsy with her hands.
Means 'not good at' or 'weak in,' which can be mistaken for being completely incompetent.
不得意な suggests a specific area of weakness or something one isn't skilled at, but doesn't imply overall incompetence. Someone can be 不得意な at one thing but highly capable in others.
彼は数学が不得意だ。 (Kare wa sūgaku ga futokui da.) - He is not good at math.
Means 'to be inferior' or 'to be less capable,' which can seem close to incompetence.
劣る is about comparison, indicating that someone or something is 'worse than' or 'inferior to' another. 無能な is an absolute statement about a lack of ability, not necessarily in comparison.
彼の能力は私に劣る。 (Kare no nōryoku wa watashi ni otoru.) - His ability is inferior to mine.
Dicas
Meaning of 無能な
無能な (bunō na) means incompetent or incapable. It describes someone who lacks the necessary skills or abilities to perform a task effectively.
Grammar: -な adjective
無能な is a -na adjective. This means it behaves like other -na adjectives. When directly modifying a noun, you use 無能な + noun, like 無能な人 (bunō na hito - an incompetent person).
Grammar: Adverbial form
To use it as an adverb, change な to に: 無能に (bunō ni). For example, 無能に働く (bunō ni hataraku - to work incompetently).
Use with です/だ
When used at the end of a sentence with です/だ, you drop the な. For example, 彼は無能です (kare wa bunō desu - He is incompetent).
Common context
This word is often used in formal or somewhat critical contexts. It's not usually a casual term you'd use with friends about minor mistakes.
Example: Incompetent leader
無能なリーダーは会社を倒産させた。
(Bunō na rīdā wa kaisha o tōsan saseta.)
The incompetent leader made the company go bankrupt.
Example: Feeling incapable
自分は無能だと感じた。
(Jibun wa bunō da to kanjita.)
I felt that I was incapable (or incompetent).
Example: Criticizing work
彼の仕事は無能だ。
(Kare no shigoto wa bunō da.)
His work is incompetent.
Strong negative connotation
Be aware that 無能な carries a strong negative connotation. Use it carefully, as it can be quite offensive if directed at someone.
Similar words
Other words with similar meanings include 役立たず (yakutatazu - useless person/thing) or 不器用な (bukiyō na - clumsy, awkward, unskilled).
Origem da palavra
From '無' (mu), meaning 'nothing' or 'without', and '能' (nō), meaning 'ability' or 'talent'.
Significado original: Without ability.
Sino-JapaneseContexto cultural
In Japanese society, competence and efficiency are highly valued. To be described as 無能な can carry a strong negative connotation, implying a significant lack of practical skills or aptitude in a given area. It's often used in contexts where performance or capability is being assessed, especially in professional or educational settings.
Teste-se 96 perguntas
Choose the correct hiragana for "mu".
The character 'む' (mu) is the correct hiragana for the sound 'mu'.
Which of these means 'no' or 'not'?
The kanji '無' (mu) means 'nothing' or 'not', often indicating absence.
How do you say 'ability' in Japanese?
The kanji '能' (nou) means 'ability' or 'talent'.
The character 'な' is often used to connect an adjective to a noun.
Yes, 'な' is a common particle that links な-adjectives to nouns.
The word '無能な' can describe someone who is very capable.
No, '無能な' means incompetent or incapable, the opposite of very capable.
The word '無能な' is a verb.
No, '無能な' is an adjective, describing a quality of a noun.
Translate this sentence into Japanese: "That incompetent person made a mistake."
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
あの無能な人が間違いをしました。
Complete the sentence in Japanese: 「彼は＿＿＿＿＿なので、仕事ができません。」(He is incompetent, so he cannot do the job.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼は無能なので、仕事ができません。
Write a short Japanese sentence describing an 'incompetent student'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
無能な学生は勉強しません。
田中さんのチームは彼のことをどう思っていますか？
Read this passage:
田中さんは新しいプロジェクトのリーダーですが、彼はいつも間違いをします。彼のチームは彼が無能だと考えています。プロジェクトはうまく進んでいません。
田中さんのチームは彼のことをどう思っていますか？
パッセージに「彼のチームは彼が無能だと考えています」とあります。
パッセージに「彼のチームは彼が無能だと考えています」とあります。
「無能な社員」とはどのような人ですか？
Read this passage:
その会社には、あまり仕事ができない人がいます。みんなは彼を「無能な社員」と呼んでいます。彼はいつも助けが必要です。
「無能な社員」とはどのような人ですか？
パッセージに「あまり仕事ができない人がいます。みんなは彼を「無能な社員」と呼んでいます」とあります。
パッセージに「あまり仕事ができない人がいます。みんなは彼を「無能な社員」と呼んでいます」とあります。
友達が「僕は本当に無能だ」と言ったのはなぜですか？
Read this passage:
私の友達は新しいゲームを買いましたが、遊び方が全く分かりませんでした。彼は「僕は本当に無能だ」と言っていました。
友達が「僕は本当に無能だ」と言ったのはなぜですか？
パッセージに「遊び方が全く分かりませんでした。彼は「僕は本当に無能だ」と言っていました」とあります。
パッセージに「遊び方が全く分かりませんでした。彼は「僕は本当に無能だ」と言っていました」とあります。
This sentence means 'He is an incompetent person.' The 'な' (na) particle is used here because 無能 (munou) is a な-adjective.
This means 'That company has an incompetent leader.' The 'な' (na) particle connects 無能 (munou) to the noun リーダー (riidaa, leader).
This translates to 'I was disappointed by his incompetent actions.' 無能な (munouna) modifies 行動 (koudou, actions).
彼はその仕事を終えるには___すぎます。
The sentence implies he cannot finish the job, so 'incompetent' (無能) fits best. 上手 (skillful), 得意 (good at), and 可能 (possible) contradict this.
彼女は新しいソフトウェアを使うのが___だ。
If she can't use the new software, she is 'incompetent' (無能) at it. 有能 (competent), 優秀 (excellent), and 得意 (good at) are the opposite.
彼の___な行動がチームに問題を引き起こした。
An 'incompetent' (無能) action would cause problems. 効果的 (effective), 効率的 (efficient), and 賢い (smart) would not.
この機械はもう古くて___だ。
If the machine is old and useless, 'incompetent' (無能) describes its current state. 最新 (latest), 高性能 (high-performance), and 有用 (useful) are incorrect.
彼はいつも___な言い訳ばかりする。
If he always makes poor excuses, they are 'incompetent' (無能な). 素晴らしい (wonderful), 有能な (competent), and clever (賢い) do not fit the context of 'excuses'.
そのプロジェクトは、___なリーダーのせいで失敗した。
A project would fail due to an 'incompetent' (無能な) leader. 有能な (competent), 経験豊富な (experienced), and 効率的な (efficient) leaders would likely lead to success.
The team couldn't achieve its goal.
The people are suffering.
The software is useless.
Read this aloud:
彼は無能な従業員だと評価されました。
Focus: 無能な (munou na)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
無能なシステムを改善する必要があります。
Focus: 改善 (kaizen)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
自分を無能だと思わないでください。
Focus: 思わないでください (omowanaide kudasai)
Você disse:
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This sentence means 'He is an incompetent leader.' The order of words is crucial for conveying the correct meaning in Japanese.
This means 'That incompetent system caused problems.' Remember that adjectives like 無能な come before the noun they modify.
This translates to 'She thought of herself as incompetent.' The particle を (o) marks the object of the verb.
彼のチームはリーダーシップの欠如と___な計画のために失敗した。
文脈から、チームが失敗した理由として「無能な計画」が最も適切です。有能、優秀、賢明はポジティブな意味合いなので不適切です。
そのプロジェクトは彼の___な管理のせいで遅延した。
プロジェクトが遅延した原因として、「無能な管理」が適切です。効率的、熟練した、卓越したはプロジェクトの遅延とは逆の文脈になります。
彼女は___な同僚にイライラしている。
イライラする対象として、「無能な同僚」が最も自然です。勤勉な、有能な、熱心な同僚は通常イライラの原因にはなりません。
そのソフトウェアは___なコーディングによってバグだらけだった。
バグだらけのソフトウェアの原因として、「無能なコーディング」が適切です。優れた、効率的な、革新的なコーディングはバグの少ないソフトウェアを生み出します。
彼は自分の___さを認めるべきだ。
「認めるべき」という文脈から、ポジティブな意味の言葉ではなく、改善すべき点である「無能さ」が適切です。
その政府は___な対応で国民の信頼を失った。
国民の信頼を失う原因として、「無能な対応」が適切です。迅速な、効果的な、断固たる対応は信頼を得る行動です。
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼のチームはプロジェクトを完了できませんでした。彼は本当に___なリーダーです。
The sentence indicates that his team couldn't complete the project, suggesting that he is an 'incompetent' leader.
Which of the following describes someone who is 無能な?
無能な directly translates to incompetent or incapable, meaning they lack the skills or ability.
Select the sentence where 無能な is used correctly.
The sentence '彼女は新しい仕事でとても無能な社員です。' (She is a very incompetent employee in her new job.) correctly uses 無能な to describe a person who is not performing well.
The phrase 「彼は無能な人だ」 means 'He is a very capable person.'
「彼は無能な人だ」 translates to 'He is an incompetent person,' not a capable one.
If someone is described as 無能な, it means they are good at their job.
無能な means incompetent or incapable, so it implies they are not good at their job.
You can use 無能な to describe a plan that is poorly thought out.
While primarily used for people, 無能な can extend to describe something that is ineffective or poorly done, like a plan.
Write a short sentence describing someone who is 無能な, using the word in your sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼は仕事においていつも無能な態度をとる。
Imagine a scenario where someone's incompetence (無能さ) causes a problem. Describe the problem in one sentence using 無能.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼の無能なリーダーシップがプロジェクトの遅延を招いた。
Complete the following sentence naturally: その店員はあまりにも___ので、客は皆不満そうだった。
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
その店員はあまりにも無能な対応だったので、客は皆不満そうだった。
Bさんは新しい担当者についてどう思っていますか？
Read this passage:
A: 新しい担当者、どう？ B: うーん、まだ慣れてないみたいで、ちょっと無能な感じがするね。 A: そうなんだ。早く慣れてくれるといいけど。
Bさんは新しい担当者についてどう思っていますか？
Bさんの発言「ちょっと無能な感じがするね」から、まだ慣れていないため能力不足だと感じていることが分かります。
Bさんの発言「ちょっと無能な感じがするね」から、まだ慣れていないため能力不足だと感じていることが分かります。
田中さんのプロジェクトチームが問題を抱えていた主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
田中さんのプロジェクトチームは、無能なリーダーシップのために多くの問題を抱えていた。メンバーは指示が不明確で、進捗が遅れることにストレスを感じていた。
田中さんのプロジェクトチームが問題を抱えていた主な理由は何ですか？
パッセージに「無能なリーダーシップのために多くの問題を抱えていた」と明記されています。
パッセージに「無能なリーダーシップのために多くの問題を抱えていた」と明記されています。
周りの人たちが彼を信用しないのはなぜですか？
Read this passage:
彼はいつも無能なふりをして、責任を逃れようとする。そのせいで周りの人たちは彼を信用していない。
周りの人たちが彼を信用しないのはなぜですか？
パッセージに「責任を逃れようとする。そのせいで周りの人たちは彼を信用していない」と書かれています。
パッセージに「責任を逃れようとする。そのせいで周りの人たちは彼を信用していない」と書かれています。
His incompetent leadership led to the company's decline.
That incapable politician lost the trust of the people.
An incompetent employee lowers team productivity.
Read this aloud:
あなたは、無能な指導者の下で働くことに耐えられますか？
Focus: 無能な (munou na)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
彼女の無能さがプロジェクトの遅延を引き起こした。
Focus: 無能さ (munousa)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
無能な管理職は、部下のモチベーションを下げる原因となる。
Focus: 管理職 (kanrishoku)
Você disse:
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Imagine you are a manager. You have an employee who is not performing well. Write an email to your superior explaining the situation and suggesting a plan of action. Use "無能な" to describe the employee's performance.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
件名：〇〇さんの業績について 〇〇部長 いつもお世話になっております。〇〇課長の〇〇です。 本日は、〇〇さんの業績についてご報告させていただきます。 最近、彼の業務遂行能力は期待を下回っており、いくつかのプロジェクトで無能な働きが目立っております。チーム全体の生産性にも影響が出始めています。 つきましては、彼のスキルアップのための研修参加と、より明確な業務目標設定を考えております。一度ご相談させていただけないでしょうか。 よろしくお願いいたします。
Write a short paragraph for a blog post discussing the importance of hiring competent staff in a company. Use "無能な" to describe what happens when a company hires poorly.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
企業の成功は、従業員の能力に大きく左右されます。採用の際に適切な見極めができず、無能な人材を雇用してしまうと、その影響は甚大です。プロジェクトの遅延、チームの士気の低下、そして最終的には企業の競争力そのものを損なうことになります。だからこそ、採用プロセスは厳格に行い、真に有能な人材を見極めることが企業の持続的な成長には不可欠なのです。
You are writing a review for a political commentary blog. Criticize a politician's recent decision, describing it as a result of their "無能な" leadership.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
今回の〇〇大臣の決定は、国民の期待を大きく裏切るものでした。その無能な指導力は、この国の未来を危うくするばかりか、国民の信頼を根底から揺るがしています。緊急事態への対応の遅れ、そして一貫性のない政策は、彼がこの重要なポストに不適格であることを明確に示しています。早急な改善がなければ、この国の混迷はさらに深まるでしょう。
この文章から読み取れる、筆者が最も懸念していることは何ですか？
Read this passage:
彼が無能なのは周知の事実であり、このプロジェクトのリーダーに任命されたことは、会社にとって大きな損失となるだろう。彼のこれまでの実績を見ても、成功した例はほとんどない。チームメンバーは彼の指示に従うことに不安を感じているようだ。このままでは、プロジェクトの成功は望めない。
この文章から読み取れる、筆者が最も懸念していることは何ですか？
筆者は「彼が無能なのは周知の事実であり、このプロジェクトのリーダーに任命されたことは、会社にとって大きな損失となるだろう」と述べており、彼のリーダーシップ能力に最も懸念を抱いていることがわかります。
筆者は「彼が無能なのは周知の事実であり、このプロジェクトのリーダーに任命されたことは、会社にとって大きな損失となるだろう」と述べており、彼のリーダーシップ能力に最も懸念を抱いていることがわかります。
この文章が示唆する「社会全体の混乱」の主な原因は何ですか？
Read this passage:
政府の無能な対応により、経済は停滞し、多くの企業が倒産に追い込まれた。国民の不満は募る一方で、現状を打破する有効な手立ては見えてこない。このような状況が続けば、社会全体の混乱は避けられないだろう。
この文章が示唆する「社会全体の混乱」の主な原因は何ですか？
文章は「政府の無能な対応により、経済は停滞し、多くの企業が倒産に追い込まれた」と明確に述べており、混乱の根本原因が政府の対応にあることを示唆しています。
文章は「政府の無能な対応により、経済は停滞し、多くの企業が倒産に追い込まれた」と明確に述べており、混乱の根本原因が政府の対応にあることを示唆しています。
この文章から、筆者が「無能な振る舞い」をどのように捉えているかが最も適切に読み取れる選択肢はどれですか？
Read this passage:
彼女は新しい職務に就いたばかりで、経験不足からくる無能な振る舞いが目立っていた。しかし、周囲のサポートと本人の努力により、短期間で目覚ましい成長を遂げ、今ではチームに不可欠な存在となっている。人は、適切な環境と意志があれば変われるという良い例だ。
この文章から、筆者が「無能な振る舞い」をどのように捉えているかが最も適切に読み取れる選択肢はどれですか？
文章では「経験不足からくる無能な振る舞いが目立っていた。しかし、周囲のサポートと本人の努力により、短期間で目覚ましい成長を遂げ」とあり、無能な振る舞いが一時的なもので、改善可能であったことを示しています。
文章では「経験不足からくる無能な振る舞いが目立っていた。しかし、周囲のサポートと本人の努力により、短期間で目覚ましい成長を遂げ」とあり、無能な振る舞いが一時的なもので、改善可能であったことを示しています。
This sentence means 'His incompetent leadership led to the failure of the project.' '無能な' modifies 'リーダーシップ'.
This sentence means 'Incompetent employees can lower a company's productivity.' '無能な' modifies '従業員'.
This sentence means 'That politician was criticized as incompetent regarding economic policy.' '無能だ' is used as a predicate here.
そのチームはプロジェクトを完遂できなかった。リーダーの___さが原因だろう。
チームがプロジェクトを完遂できなかった理由として、リーダーの『無能さ』が最も適切です。『有能』は逆の意味、『賢明』や『勤勉』は文脈に合いません。
彼は新しいシステムについて何も知らないので、この仕事は彼にとって___だ。
新しいシステムについて何も知らないため、彼がこの仕事をこなすのは『無能』、つまり能力がないことを意味します。『困難』は仕事の難しさ、『簡単』は逆、『優秀』は能力が高いことを指します。
会社は彼の度重なる失敗に業を煮やし、最終的に彼を___と判断した。
度重なる失敗により、会社が彼を『無能』と判断するのは自然な流れです。『有能』は逆、『熱心』や『誠実』は能力とは直接関係ありません。
政府は危機管理において___であったと多くの国民から批判された。
危機管理において国民から批判された場合、『無能』であることがその理由として最も適切です。『迅速』『的確』『卓越』は褒め言葉であり、文脈に合いません。
その新入社員は、研修後も基本的な業務さえこなせず、___さが露呈した。
基本的な業務もこなせない状況では、『無能さ』が露呈したと表現するのが適切です。『協調性』『積極性』『責任感』は能力とは別の側面です。
彼はその分野の専門家だが、実務では驚くほど___な一面を見せることがある。
専門家でありながら、実務で『無能』な一面を見せるという対比が文脈に合います。『優秀』や『勤勉』、『器用』はポジティブな意味合いで、文脈と矛盾します。
Choose the most appropriate synonym for 「無能な」.
「無能な」directly translates to incompetent or incapable, and 「役立たずの」carries a similar nuance of not being able to perform effectively or being useless.
Which sentence best uses 「無能な」?
「無能な」describes a lack of ability or competence. A leader who is incompetent would logically lose the trust of their subordinates. The other options present contradictory scenarios.
What is the most fitting antonym for 「無能な」?
「無能な」means incompetent or incapable. 「優秀な」means excellent or superior, implying a high level of ability and competence, thus making it the most direct antonym.
「無能な」is typically used to describe someone who is highly skilled and effective.
「無能な」describes someone lacking ability or competence, the opposite of highly skilled and effective.
If someone is 「無能な」at their job, it means they are doing their job well.
Being 「無能な」at a job implies a lack of capability or effectiveness, meaning they are not doing their job well.
You might use 「無能な」to criticize someone's lack of competence in a particular task.
「無能な」is a critical term used to point out someone's incompetence or inability to perform a task effectively.
The speaker is talking about a person's poor leadership.
The sentence discusses the suffering of people due to the government.
The speaker is warning against entrusting significant tasks to a certain type of subordinate.
Read this aloud:
彼女は無能なふりをして、責任から逃れた。
Focus: むのうな (munouna)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
その無能な計画は最初から失敗するとわかっていた。
Focus: けいかく (keikaku)
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
無能な経営陣は、会社の将来を危うくするだろう。
Focus: けいえいじん (keieijin)
Você disse:
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This sentence describes how his incompetent leadership led to the project's failure. The word order emphasizes the cause and effect.
This sentence highlights the inability of an incompetent bureaucrat to make important decisions. The adjective '無能な' modifies '官僚'.
This sentence explains that the customers grew dissatisfied due to his incompetent handling of the situation. '対応' refers to his response or handling.
/ 96 correct
Perfect score!
Meaning of 無能な
無能な (bunō na) means incompetent or incapable. It describes someone who lacks the necessary skills or abilities to perform a task effectively.
Grammar: -な adjective
無能な is a -na adjective. This means it behaves like other -na adjectives. When directly modifying a noun, you use 無能な + noun, like 無能な人 (bunō na hito - an incompetent person).
Grammar: Adverbial form
To use it as an adverb, change な to に: 無能に (bunō ni). For example, 無能に働く (bunō ni hataraku - to work incompetently).
Use with です/だ
When used at the end of a sentence with です/だ, you drop the な. For example, 彼は無能です (kare wa bunō desu - He is incompetent).
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調整
A1The act of making small changes to something to achieve a desired fit, function, or balance. In a work context, it specifically refers to coordinating schedules or aligning different opinions to reach an agreement.
有利な
B1Advantageous or favorable.
承知する
B1To acknowledge, agree; to be aware of and consent to something.
年収
B1Annual income; yearly salary.
応募
B1To apply for a position, a competition, a prize, or a public offer. It indicates a proactive step to participate in something.
応募する
B1To apply for a job or position.
～と同時に
B1At the same time as, simultaneously with.
勤怠
B1Attendance record; presence or absence from work.
係員
A2Person in charge; attendant.
ぎんこういん
A2Bank employee.
