1. not having the skill, power, or means to do something
沒有技能、能力或方法做某事
He was unable to fix the computer himself.
他無法自己修理電腦。
The small boat was unable to withstand the storm.
那艘小船無法承受暴風雨。
Unable Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
unable
adjective
快速理解
What does "Unable" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Unable"?
表示沒有能力、辦法或機會做某事。
- 1
缺乏能力
EN: lacking the skill, power, or means to do something
翻譯: 指因缺乏技能、力量或必要條件而無法完成。
- 2
無法做到
EN: not able to accomplish a specific action or task
翻譯: 針對特定動作或任務，表示做不到或無法實現。
- 3
受條件限制
EN: prevented by circumstances from doing something
翻譯: 因外在環境、規則或情況所限而不能進行。
- 4
身體上不能
EN: physically incapable
翻譯: 指因身體狀況、受傷或生理限制而無法行動。
小提醒：注意 'unable' 後面通常接 'to + 動詞原形'，表示『無法做...』。它強調的是暫時或特定情況下的能力缺失，而非永久性的無能。
發音（How to Pronounce "Unable" in English）
How to pronounce "Unable" in English?"Unable" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Unable" from YouTube Videos
Boghuma Kabisen Titanji: Ethical riddles in HIV research
TED
“She was unable to tell me the names of the drugs she'd received during the trial or even what the trial had been about.”
(1 out of 17)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Unable"?How does "Unable" change by context?
2. not available or not in a position to do something
無法參與或沒有立場做某事
I'm unable to attend the meeting on Friday.
我無法參加週五的會議。
She was unable to comment on the ongoing legal case.
她無法對正在進行的法律案件發表評論。
3. physically or mentally incapable
身體上或精神上無能為力
After the accident, he was unable to walk for months.
事故發生後，他好幾個月都無法走路。
She was unable to concentrate due to the extreme stress.
由於極大的壓力，她無法集中精神。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Unable"?How to make natural sentences with "Unable"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| unable to + V | 無法（做某事） | He was unable to attend the meeting. (他無法參加會議。) |
| unable to + be + V-ed | 無法被… | The data is unable to be recovered. (這些資料無法被復原。) |
| find oneself unable to + V | 發現自己無法… | She found herself unable to speak. (她發現自己說不出話來。) |
| render + sb/sth + unable to + V | 使…無法… | The injury rendered him unable to walk. (這次受傷使他無法行走。) |
| completely/totally unable to + V | 完全無法… | They were completely unable to understand the instructions. (他們完全無法理解這些指示。) |
用法說明
How is "Unable" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Unable"?
unable to do vs. unable doing
- unable to do 是唯一正確的結構。形容詞 unable 後面必須接不定詞 to + 動詞原形，表示「沒有能力做某事」或「無法做到某事」。
- unable doing 是錯誤的結構。unable 不能直接接動名詞 (V-ing)。
- 在假設語氣或未來情境中，常與 will be unable to 或 would be unable to 連用，結構依然是 to + 動詞原形。
對比例句： EN: She was unable to solve the complex equation. 翻譯: 她無法解出那個複雜的方程式。
EN:She was unable solving the complex equation.
翻譯:(錯誤結構，應避免使用)
EN:If the system crashes, we will be unable to process any orders.
翻譯:如果系統當機，我們將無法處理任何訂單。
EN:If the system crashes, we will be unable processing any orders.
翻譯:(錯誤結構，應避免使用)
總結建議
請務必使用 unable to + 動詞原形 的結構，避免使用 unable + V-ing。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Unable" and similar words?How to choose "Unable" vs alternatives?
unable vs incapable
「unable」通常指因特定情況或暫時性因素而無法做某事；「incapable」則更強調缺乏內在能力、技能或永久性的不適合。
unable vs disabled
「unable」是描述暫時或特定情境下「不能」的普通形容詞；「disabled」是正式術語，通常指因身體或心智損傷而長期失能。
unable vs not able
「unable」是正式且單一的形容詞；「not able」是「able」的否定形式，較為口語且靈活。兩者常可互換，但語體色彩不同。
口語用法
How is "Unable" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Unable"?
引述
在口語中，常用來引述自己或他人無法做到某事的原因或狀態。 EN: I'm unable to make it to the party tonight, sorry. 翻譯: 我今晚沒辦法去參加派對，抱歉。
EN:She said she was unable to focus with all the noise.
翻譯:她說有那些噪音她無法專心。
語氣強調
與「can't」相比，「unable」在口語中聽起來更正式、更強調客觀限制或無能為力。 EN: I'm truly unable to help you with this—it's beyond my expertise. 翻譯: 我真的無法幫你處理這個——這超出了我的專業範圍。
EN:They were unable, not unwilling, to meet the deadline.
翻譯:他們是做不到，而不是不願意，在期限前完成。
停頓填充
在組織句子、思考措辭時，可用「unable」作為較正式的停頓點，後面接具體說明。 EN: The system is... unable... to process your request at the moment. 翻譯: 系統目前...無法...處理你的請求。
EN:We find ourselves unable—due to circumstances beyond our control—to proceed.
翻譯:我們發現自己無法——由於一些我們無法控制的情況——繼續進行。
正式寫作注意：在極度口語或非正式的對話中（如朋友閒聊），母語者通常會選擇「can't」或「couldn't」而非「unable」。在正式書面報告、法律文件或商業郵件中使用「unable」則非常合適。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Unable"?What fixed phrases with "Unable" should I remember?
unable to
unable to [verb]
無法（做某事）
unable to cope
unable to cope (with)
無法應付（某事物）
unable to help
unable to help [oneself/doing something]
無法控制（自己/做某事）；無法幫忙
unable to stand
unable to stand [something/someone]
無法忍受（某事物/某人）
unable to sleep
unable to sleep
無法入睡
unable to work
unable to work
無法工作
unable to speak
unable to speak (for)
說不出話來（因情緒激動等）
find oneself unable
find oneself unable to [verb]
發現自己無法（做某事）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Unable"?Which "Unable" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×I am unable to do it yesterday.
✓I was unable to do it yesterday.
"unable" 是形容詞，描述狀態，其時態需透過 be 動詞變化來表達。描述過去無法做到某事時，應使用過去式 "was/were unable to"。
×He unabled to solve the problem.
✓He was unable to solve the problem.
"unable" 是形容詞，不是動詞，因此不能直接當動詞使用。必須與 be 動詞連用，形成 "be unable to" 的結構。
×I am unable of speaking French.
✓I am unable to speak French.
"unable" 的固定搭配是 "unable to + 動詞原形"，用來表示「不能做某事」。不可使用 "unable of + V-ing" 或 "unable for" 等錯誤介系詞結構。
×The door is unable to open.
✓The door cannot be opened. / It is impossible to open the door.
"unable" 主要用於描述「有生命的主體（人或動物）」因缺乏能力、機會或權限而無法做某事。對於無生命物體（如門、電腦），通常使用 "cannot" 或被動語態來描述其無法被操作的狀態。
×I very unable to understand this.
✓I am completely unable to understand this. / I find it very difficult to understand this.
"unable" 作為形容詞，不能被程度副詞 "very" 直接修飾。若要加強語氣，應使用 "completely", "totally", "simply" 等副詞，或改用 "find it very difficult/hard to" 的句型。
×We are unable going to the party.
✓We are unable to go to the party.
在 "be unable to" 之後必須接動詞原形 (base form)，不可接動名詞 (V-ing)。這是常見的動詞形式錯誤。
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Unable"?What are tense/participle forms of "Unable"?