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adjective · B1 · often · UK/US

unfähig

unable

Meaning of unfähig

not able to do something

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B1often

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Pronunciation
German/ˈʊnfɛːɡ/
unable
unfähig - unable
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unfähig with English translation

unfähig usage examples

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Learn by topic

unfähig belongs to the topic "Top 2500". Start with a short 7-word set so the word is easier to remember in context.

unfähigunable
gehacktchopped
gekochtcooked
gefrostetfrozen
ungekochtraw
salzigsalty
in Scheiben geschnittensliced

unfähig synonyms

Related word breakdowns

What's the difference between unfähig / nicht fähig / nicht imstande / außerstande / hilflos / machtlos

🇩🇪German
unfähig

unable — not able to do something

B1Often
N
🇩🇪German
nicht fähig

Neutral: means 'not capable' and is often used for a lack of skill or ability.

B1Often

Er ist nicht fähig, die Aufgabe allein zu lösen.

Он не способен решить задачу самостоятельно.

N
🇩🇪German
nicht imstande

A bit more formal/literary: 'not in a position/able to' do something.

B1Often

Ich war nicht imstande, ihm zu helfen.

Я не был в состоянии ему помочь.

A
🇩🇪German
außerstande

Formal and somewhat literary; emphasizes complete inability to do something.

B1Rarely

Die Behörde war außerstande, sofort zu reagieren.

Ведомство было не в состоянии немедленно отреагировать.

H
🇩🇪German
hilflos

Means 'helpless': not only unable to act, but also lacking support or control.

B1Very Often

Das Kind wirkte in der neuen Situation hilflos.

Ребёнок выглядел беспомощным в новой ситуации.

M
🇩🇪German
machtlos

Emphasizes lack of power or influence; often used for situations you cannot change.

B1Often

Die Eltern fühlten sich gegen die Entscheidung machtlos.

Родители чувствовали себя бессильными перед этим решением.

N
🇩🇪German
nicht in der Lage

Very common neutral phrase meaning 'not able' or 'unable' to do something.

B1Very Often

Ich bin heute nicht in der Lage, lange zu arbeiten.

Сегодня я не в состоянии долго работать.

N
🇩🇪German
nicht dazu fähig

Emphasizes lacking the specific ability needed for that action.

B1Often

Er war nicht dazu fähig, die Wahrheit zu sagen.

Он не был способен сказать правду.

N
🇩🇪German
nicht vermögend

Old-fashioned or very literary; today it is rarely used with the meaning 'unable'.

B1Rarely

Er war nicht vermögend, die Kosten zu tragen.

Он не был в состоянии покрыть расходы.

Z
🇩🇪German
zu etwas nicht fähig

A longer, somewhat bookish phrasing; stresses inability for a specific action.

B1Rarely

Er ist zu solchem Verhalten nicht fähig.

Он не способен на такое поведение.

A
🇩🇪German
außerstande sein

Infinitive form, more formal and literary; means 'to be unable'.

B1Rarely

Die Firma wäre außerstande sein, den Auftrag rechtzeitig zu erfüllen.

Компания была бы не в состоянии выполнить заказ вовремя.

What's the difference

Related words and lists for unfähig

How to pronounce unfähig and what this word means

unfähig translation: unable. This page includes translation, pronunciation, transcription, audio, usage examples and related words.

how to pronounce unfähig

/ˈʊnfɛːɡ/

unfähig translation

unable

unfähig transcription

/ˈʊnfɛːɡ/

How this dictionary entry is reviewed

ZapomniEnglish prepares dictionary data automatically, then the editorial workflow checks high-frequency words, top lists, and pages that already receive search impressions first.

Translation and meaningPronunciation and transcriptionExamples, synonyms, and topics

Questions about this word

unfähig meaning: what does it mean?

nicht in der Lage, etwas zu tun

unfähig pronunciation: how do you pronounce it?

unfähig is pronounced as /ˈʊnfɛːɡ/. Audio is available on this page when the word has a recording.

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