inability
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inability
The lack of ability or strength to do something specific; incapacity or impotence.
Sein Unvermögen, die Situation zu kontrollieren, wurde für alle offensichtlich.
His inability to control the situation became obvious to everyone.
The word is made up of the negating prefix 'Un-' and the noun 'das Vermögen' (here in the sense of ability, capacity). 'Unvermögen' (inability) therefore literally means 'non-ability'.
Sein Unvermögen, die Aufgabe zu lösen, war frustrierend für ihn.
His inability to solve the task was frustrating for him.
'Unvermögen' (inability) is very often expanded with a 'zu' + infinitive construction to specify what someone cannot do. The structure is: 'das Unvermögen, etwas zu tun' (the inability to do something).
Sie ärgerte sich über ihr Unvermögen, Nein zu sagen.
She was annoyed by her inability to say no.
'Unvermögen' (inability) is a word used in elevated written language. It sounds formal and is more likely to be used in official or literary texts than in everyday conversation.
Der Bericht spricht vom Unvermögen der Politik, eine schnelle Lösung zu finden.
The report speaks of the inability of politics to find a quick solution.
The lack of ability can also be expressed with the preposition 'zu' + a noun in the dative. This construction is also formal.
Er zeigte ein deutliches Unvermögen zur Empathie.
He showed a clear inability for empathy.
inability
Both words describe being unable to do something specific. „Unfähigkeit“ tends to emphasize a lack of knowledge or skill, while „Unvermögen“ focuses more strongly on a lack of strength or a lack of possibility. When the issue is a lack of competence, „Unfähigkeit“ is appropriate; when it is a specific limitation of one’s means or strength, „Unvermögen“ is usually more suitable.
Sein Unvermögen, den schweren Schrank zu bewegen, lag an fehlender Kraft.
His inability to move the heavy cabinet was due to a lack of strength.
Seine Unfähigkeit, den Bericht zu verstehen, zeigte seinen Mangel an Fachwissen.
His inability to understand the report showed his lack of specialist knowledge.
