incompetent
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incompetent
Not having the necessary skills, knowledge, or qualifications for a particular task or profession; incapable.
Der Handwerker war völlig inkompetent und hat mehr Schaden angerichtet als repariert.
The tradesman was completely incompetent and caused more damage than he repaired.
The word is composed of the prefix 'in-' and the adjective 'kompetent' (competent). The prefix 'in-' here means 'not' or 'un-' and expresses the opposite. 'Inkompetent' (incompetent) is therefore the direct opposite of 'kompetent' (competent).
Ein kompetenter Arzt hätte die Diagnose sofort erkannt.
A competent doctor would have recognized the diagnosis immediately.
The adjective can stand before a noun or be used with the verb 'sein' (to be). It is often supplemented with the preposition 'für' (for) to say what someone lacks competence for.
Er ist ein inkompetenter Politiker.
He is an incompetent politician.
This meaning is a technical term from legal and medical language. It is used when a person is officially classified, e.g., by a court or a medical assessment, as not capable of making decisions.
Nach dem Gutachten wurde der Patient für prozessual inkompetent erklärt.
After the assessment, the patient was declared procedurally incompetent.
suitable
'geeignet' and 'inkompetent' can form a contrast when talking about people and tasks. A suitable person fits a task because they have the necessary skills or qualities. An incompetent person does not have those skills or the necessary knowledge. However, 'geeignet' can also be used for things, places, or methods; 'inkompetent' is used almost only for people or groups. So the contrast is especially clear with jobs, tasks, and responsibility.
Der neue Berater wirkte inkompetent, weil er keine einfache Frage beantworten konnte.
The new consultant seemed incompetent because he could not answer a simple question.
Für die Leitung des Teams ist sie sehr gut geeignet.
She is very well suited to leading the team.