无能为力 (wú néng wéi lì) — (idiom) powerless, helpless, unable to do anything about it
Definition
Emphasizes that one's ability or power is the limit, not just having no choice — stronger than 无奈 and 无可奈何 (which focus on the situation). Pairs naturally with 无能 and 无力 in writing.
idiom
powerlesshelplessunable to do anything about it
Examples
- ,无能为力。Miàn duì zhè yàng de qíng kuàng, tā gǎn dào wú néng wéi lì.Faced with such a situation, he felt powerless.
- 无能为力,。Wǒ yǐ jīng wú néng wéi lì le, zhǐ néng jiē shòu xiàn shí.I'm already helpless; I can only accept reality.
- ,无能为力。Wú lùn tā zěn me nǔ lì, tā hái shì wú néng wéi lì.No matter how hard he tried, he was still powerless.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.