Unhelpful Meaning in English
word
ənˈhɛɫpfəɫ
un-HELP-fuhl
ʌnhˈɛlpfəl
un-HELP-fuhl
Definition
Someone or something that does not help or make things easier. It can describe a person who is not willing or able to assist, or something that does not solve a problem.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly used in polite criticism. Often describes attitudes or actions. Collocates: "an unhelpful comment", "the staff were unhelpful". Not as strong as "useless"—"unhelpful" implies that something isn't helpful, not that it is completely bad.
Spanish: poco servicial - inútilPortuguese (BR): inútil - que não ajudaPortuguese (PT): inútil - que não ajudaChinese (Simplified): 无益的 - 不乐于助人的Chinese (Traditional): 無益的 - 不樂於助人的Hindi: असहायक - अनुपयोगीArabic: غير مفيد - غير مُعينBengali: অসহায়কারী - সাহায্যহীনRussian: неполезный - бесполезный (не оказывает помощи)Japanese: 役に立たないVietnamese: không hữu íchKorean: 도움이 되지 않는Turkish: yardımcı olmayanUrdu: غیر معاون - مدد نہ کرنے والاIndonesian: tidak membantu - kurang membantu
Example Sentences
His advice was unhelpful.
basic
The instructions are unhelpful.
basic
She was unhelpful when I asked for support.
basic
That was a pretty unhelpful comment.
natural
The staff at the desk were surprisingly unhelpful.
natural
Sorry if that sounded unhelpful, I just don't know the answer.
natural