Definition
无能为力 is a 4-character idiom meaning 'powerless, helpless, unable to do anything'. It describes a situation where one lacks the ability or power to act, often used as a predicate. Compare: 束手无策 (shù shǒu-wú cè) is about having no plan or strategy, while 无可奈何 (wú kě nài hé) is about having no alternative but to accept.
idiom
powerlesshelplessunable to do anything about it
Examples
- ,无能为力。Miàn duì zhèyàng de qíngkuàng, tā gǎndào wú néng wéi lì.Faced with such a situation, he felt powerless.
- 无能为力,。Wǒ yǐjīng wú néng wéi lì le, zhǐ néng jiēshòu xiànshí.I'm already helpless; I can only accept reality.
- ,无能为力。Wúlùn tā zěnme nǔlì, tā háishì wú néng wéi lì.No matter how hard he tried, he was still powerless.
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