How to say "inability" in Japanese

• 無能むのうJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers inability as a lack of personal competence or ability. It carries a critical nuance, describing a person as incapable or inefficient, and fits contexts of judging someone's performance.
  あらゆる芸術げいじゅつ評論家ひょうろんか達たちは無能むのうであり危険きけんな存在そんざいである。↗

  Regard all art critics as useless and dangerous.
• 困難こんなんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, na-adjectiveCovers inability to carry something out, used euphemistically. It softens the statement, so it suits polite or formal contexts where saying outright that something cannot be done would sound too blunt.
• 不能ふのうCommon
  nounCovers inability or incompetence directly and bluntly. It states that something is simply not possible or a person is incapable, without euphemism, making it suitable when a plain, factual statement is needed.

For personal inability or incompetence choose 無能 or 不能; for the inability to carry something out (euphemistically) choose 困難.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 無能むのうincompetence
• 無能力むのうりょくincompetence
• 不才ふさいlack of talent
• 困難こんなんinfeasibility
• 不能ふのうincompetence
• 不自由ふじゆうinability
• 不敏ふびんinability