無能|むのうmunou[0]heiban (flat)

1. na-adjective, no-adjectiveincompetence; inefficiency; inability; incapacity
   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.
2. nounincompetent person

• Synonym無力むりょくNeutralLacking power or ability, as in 「無力感」; stresses being unable to get something done, while 「無能」 stresses being judged incompetent.
• Synonym無能力むのうりょくWrittenWritten/formal prose for lacking the ability to do something; formerly also a legal term. 「無能」 is more an evaluation of poor work ability.
• Synonym能がないのうがないNeutralColloquial phrase for having no talent or skill, as in 「それしか能がない」; often used in negative constructions.
• Synonym甲斐性なしかいしょうなしNeutralColloquial and derogatory for an unreliable, good-for-nothing person, often one who cannot earn enough to support a family.
• Synonym能無しのうなしNeutralColloquial word for an incompetent person or good-for-nothing; carries an insulting, name-calling tone.
• Synonym無能者むのうしゃWrittenWritten/formal term for an incompetent person; examples of actual use are rare.
• Synonym無才むさいWrittenWritten/formal word for lacking talent, mostly seen in the humble expression 「浅学無才」.
• Synonym無能力者むのうりょくしゃWrittenWritten/formal term for a person lacking ability; also a former legal term for someone without legal capacity.
• Related勤まらないつとまらないNeutralColloquial negative verb form meaning unable to handle a job, as in 「この仕事は私には勤まらない」; leans toward specific posts or duties.
• Antonym有能ゆうのうNeutralThe antonym: capable and competent, as in 「有能な社員」.

Use 「無能」 for someone judged unable to do the job, as in 「無能な上司」. To insult someone, colloquial 「能無し」 or 「甲斐性なし」 works; use 「無力」 for powerlessness. The opposite is 「有能」. The other terms are written/formal or narrow in use.

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

1. 能力のうりょく・才能さいのうが無ないこと。またそのさま。そのような人ひと。