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.
fortune / ability
'das Vermögen' and 'das Unvermögen' are opposites here. 'das Vermögen' means the ability or strength to do something. 'das Unvermögen' means exactly the lack of this ability. Both words sound rather formal and are not used in every everyday conversation. The important point is: in this relationship, it is not about money or possessions, but about ability or inability.
Sein Unvermögen, klare Entscheidungen zu treffen, macht die Planung sehr schwer.
His inability to make clear decisions makes planning very difficult.
Im Gespräch zeigt Frau Kaya ein großes Vermögen, schwierige Dinge ruhig zu erklären.
In conversation, Ms. Kaya shows a great ability to explain difficult things calmly.