incompetence
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incompetence
A lack of ability, knowledge, or skill to carry out a task successfully or properly; inability.
Die Inkompetenz des Managements führte das Unternehmen beinahe in den Ruin.
The incompetence of the management nearly drove the company into ruin.
lack of jurisdiction
In the legal sense, the subject-matter or territorial lack of jurisdiction of a court or authority over a particular case.
Das Gericht erklärte seine Inkompetenz und verwies den Fall an die zuständige Instanz.
The court declared its lack of jurisdiction and referred the case to the competent authority.
'Inkompetenz' (incompetence) is easy to understand if you break it down: the prefix 'in-' means 'not' or 'un-' here. The base word is 'Kompetenz' (competence). So 'Inkompetenz' is literally 'non-competence'.
Seine fehlende Vorbereitung zeigte seine völlige Inkompetenz.
His lack of preparation showed his complete incompetence.
'Inkompetenz' (incompetence) is a rather formal word that is often used in professional, political, or official contexts. In everyday conversation, people often use simpler paraphrases.
Dem Politiker wurde im Parlament Inkompetenz vorgeworfen.
The politician was accused of incompetence in parliament.
The word is often combined with adjectives like 'fachlich' (professional/technical), 'sozial' (social), 'völlig' (complete), or 'offensichtlich' (obvious). A common phrase is 'jemandem Inkompetenz vorwerfen' (to accuse someone of incompetence).
Der Chef warf ihm fachliche Inkompetenz vor und kündigte ihm.
The boss accused him of professional incompetence and fired him.
You can recognize the legal meaning of 'Inkompetenz' (lack of jurisdiction) from signal words like 'Gericht' (court), 'Behörde' (authority), 'zuständig' (responsible/competent), or 'Fall' (case). In this context, it does not mean inability, but lack of jurisdiction.
Die Anwältin argumentierte mit der Inkompetenz der ausländischen Behörde.
The lawyer argued based on the foreign authority's lack of jurisdiction.
inability
Both words describe a deficiency that prevents someone from carrying out a task properly. „Inkompetenz“ refers especially to a lack of knowledge or skill in a particular area of responsibility, while „Unfähigkeit“ can also mean a general or situational lack of ability or strength. For incorrect work in a professional setting, „Inkompetenz“ is therefore particularly appropriate.
Die Inkompetenz des Technikers zeigte sich in den vielen Fehlern des Berichts.
The technician’s incompetence was evident in the report’s many errors.
Seine Unfähigkeit, den schweren Karton zu tragen, lag an fehlender Kraft.
His inability to carry the heavy box was due to a lack of strength.
