incompetent
word
/ˌɪnˈkɑmpətənt/
in-KAHM-puh-tuhnt
/ɪnkˈɒmpɪtənt/
in-KOM-pi-tuhnt
Definition
If someone is incompetent, they do not have the skill or ability needed to do a job or task well.
Usage & Nuances
'Incompetent' is often used in formal or professional contexts, sometimes as criticism. Common phrases: 'incompetent at their job', 'medically incompetent'. Much stronger than 'not good'—it means lacking basic ability.
Spanish: incompetentePortuguese (BR): incompetentePortuguese (PT): incompetenteChinese (Simplified): 无能的 - 不称职的Chinese (Traditional): 無能的 - 不稱職的Hindi: अयोग्य - अक्षमArabic: غير كفء - غير مؤهلBengali: অযোগ্য - অদক্ষRussian: некомпетентныйJapanese: 無能なVietnamese: không có năng lực - kém cỏiKorean: 무능한Turkish: beceriksiz - yeteneksizUrdu: نااہل - غیرماہرIndonesian: tidak kompeten - tidak cakap
Example Sentences
The incompetent worker made many mistakes.
basic
Everyone agreed their boss was incompetent.
basic
The company's failure was blamed on incompetent management.
natural
I can't believe how incompetent their service is!
natural
If you put an incompetent person in charge, expect problems.
natural
He is incompetent at using computers.
basic