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.
'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.
ability
'die Fähigkeit' and 'die Inkompetenz' are clear opposites when it comes to being able to do a task. An ability means that someone can do something because they have talent, knowledge, or practice. Incompetence means that exactly this ability or knowledge is missing. 'Fähigkeit' sounds neutral or positive. 'Inkompetenz' sounds clearly negative and is often used when someone does a task badly or does not act properly.
Wegen seiner Inkompetenz musste ein Kollege den Bericht noch einmal komplett überarbeiten.
Because of his incompetence, a colleague had to completely revise the report again.
Nach dem Gespräch im Büro zeigt sie die Fähigkeit, schwierige Kunden ruhig zu beraten.
After the meeting at the office, she shows the ability to advise difficult customers calmly.