How do you use "unable" in a sentence?

I was unable to attend the meeting due to illness. The rescue team was unable to reach the survivors in time. She found herself unable to speak from the shock.

unable

Q: What does "unable" mean?

Lacking the ability, power, or means to do something 'Unable' means lacking the skill, strength, opportunity, or authority to do something. It's always followed by 'to' and an infinitive verb. Unlike 'can't,' which suggests impossibility, 'unable' often implies that circumstances prevent the action rather than personal incapacity.

Vocabulary Word BritishAmerican ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: Lacking the ability, power, or means to do something

不能的，无法的

incapaz, imposibilitado

できない、〜する能力がない

할 수 없는, ~할 능력이 없는

'Unable' means lacking the skill, strength, opportunity, or authority to do something. It's always followed by 'to' and an infinitive verb. Unlike 'can't,' which suggests impossibility, 'unable' often implies that circumstances prevent the action rather than personal incapacity.

「unable」意味着缺乏做某事的技能、力量、机会或权力。它总是后接「to」和动词不定式。与表示不可能的「can't」不同，「unable」通常暗示是情况阻止了行动，而不是个人能力不足。

«Unable» significa carecer de la habilidad, fuerza, oportunidad o autoridad para hacer algo. Siempre va seguido de «to» y un infinitivo. A diferencia de «can't», que sugiere imposibilidad, «unable» implica que las circunstancias impiden la acción.

「unable」は、何かをするスキル、強さ、機会、または権限がないことを意味します。常に「to」と不定詞が続きます。不可能を示す「can't」とは異なり、「unable」は状況が行動を妨げていることを示唆します。

'unable'은 무언가를 할 기술, 힘, 기회, 또는 권한이 없는 상태를 의미합니다. 항상 'to'와 부정사 동사가 뒤따릅니다. 불가능을 나타내는 'can't'와 달리, 'unable'은 개인의 능력 부족보다는 상황이 행동을 방해한다는 뉘앙스를 갖는 경우가 많습니다.

Examples

I was unable to attend the meeting due to illness.
由于生病，我无法参加会议。
No pude asistir a la reunión debido a una enfermedad.
病気のため会議に出席できませんでした。
병으로 인해 회의에 참석할 수 없었습니다.
The rescue team was unable to reach the survivors in time.
救援队无法及时到达幸存者那里。
El equipo de rescate no pudo llegar a los supervivientes a tiempo.
救助チームは生存者に間に合わせることができませんでした。
구조대는 제시간에 생존자에게 도달할 수 없었습니다.
She found herself unable to speak from the shock.
她震惊得说不出话来。
Se encontró incapaz de hablar por la conmoción.
彼女はショックで話せなくなりました。
그녀는 충격으로 말을 할 수 없게 되었습니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: general

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 'un-' (not) plus 'able'. 'Able' comes from Old French 'able', from Latin 'habilis' meaning 'easily handled' or 'apt', from 'habēre' (to have, hold). Related to 'ability' and 'habit'.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal